When college students at Homestead Excessive College launched Undertaking Protect via their faculty’s Future Enterprise Leaders of America membership final August, they by no means anticipated to be in conversations with state representatives or to assist go federal laws.
Led by Arhan Chakravarthy and Samik Thakur, Undertaking Protect was created to deal with the affect of dementia of their neighborhood and drive significant change.
The initiative started with a easy remark: Regardless of affecting hundreds of thousands of Individuals, dementia usually stays within the shadows. By way of interviews with over 80 households affected by Alzheimer’s Illness, the scholars uncovered a shared want for higher assist programs, elevated analysis funding and stronger neighborhood consciousness.
Working alongside the Alzheimer’s Affiliation, Undertaking Protect remodeled these tales into advocacy for the NAPA Reauthorization Act (HR 619) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Funding Act (HR 620). Their efforts contributed to the profitable passage of each acts, securing continued federal funding for Alzheimer’s analysis and care packages.
“We wanted to make a real, lasting impact, not only increase awareness,” Chakravarthy says. “Advocating for these congressional acts ensured that dementia research and care would continue to receive the attention and funding it deserves.”
With that in thoughts, they created “The Mind Matters: Understanding Dementia,” a podcast devoted to educating the general public on cognitive well being and dementia care. That includes consultants similar to Vanessa Souza from the Alzheimer’s Affiliation and Robin Shepherd from the Susan and Charles Berghoff Basis, the podcast lined key subjects together with Lewy Physique Dementia analysis and enhancements in affected person care.
In addition they constructed Mind Boggle, an interactive platform the place individuals can train their cognitive abilities via video games and observe their progress.
The podcast reached over 1,200 listeners, and Mind Boggle gained over 500 distinctive guests.
As well as, the workforce linked their classmates with alternatives to volunteer at Crescent Oaks Reminiscence Care in Sunnyvale, the place college students engaged seniors in reminiscence video games and social actions. This system has reached over 45 senior residents, with suggestions indicating that many felt extra mentally engaged and socially linked after taking part.
In partnership with the Susan and Charles Berghoff Basis (SCBF), the scholars additionally hosted Dr. Joseph Winer, a Stanford College sleep researcher, for a visitor speaker occasion. Addressing almost 60 neighborhood members, DWiner emphasised the position of sleep administration in stopping neurodegenerative ailments, highlighting the connection between sleep patterns, cognitive perform and long-term mind well being.
“Project Preserve has demonstrated exceptional foresight and dedication in educating students about brain health and dementia,” mentioned Robin Shepherd, co-founder of SCBF. “Arhan and Samik are tomorrow’s researchers and healthcare experts who will no doubt make substantial contributions to healthy lives and longevity.”
Their efforts have been acknowledged by U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, Congressman Ro Khanna and state Sens. Josh Becker, Dave Cortese and Aisha Wahab, in addition to Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens. Cupertino Mayor Liang-Fang Chao and Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein have additionally acknowledged Chakravarthy and Thakur’s work in neighborhood training and senior engagement.
Whereas these commendations are encouraging, the scholars say witnessing a direct affect on households has been probably the most rewarding.
“People often ask us why high school students would take on such a complex healthcare issue,” mentioned Thakur. “And the simple answer is, as our population ages, dementia will touch more families, including our own, and we can’t afford to wait.”
Tara Sreekrishnan is a member of the Santa Clara County Board of Training, representing Trustee Space 2.
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