Forget-Me-Not Gala to benefit those afflicted with Alzheimer’s

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Photo by Robert K. Yosay | The Vindicator: JoAnn and Barry Claycomb, seated, advocate funding and awareness campaigns to help those living with Alzheimer’s, which includes Barry. Committee members involved with the eighth annual Forget-Me-Not fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association are, from left to right in the back row, Jacki Jones, Fury Kuzma, Pam Rogers, Johanna Nuzzo, Christina Pallo and Helen Paes. A Valley physician, Dr. Charles Wilkins, and the Claycombs will be honored at the gala event for their dedication to the Alzheimer’s cause.

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Wilkins

Staff report

CANFIELD

The Greater East Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will honor a Youngstown doctor and an Austintown couple when it presents the eighth annual Forget-Me-Not Gala April 27 at Tippecanoe Country Club, 5870 Tippecanoe Road.

Dr. Charles Wilkins, director of the Geriatric Assessment Unit at St. Elizabeth Health Center and a board-certified physician of internal and geriatric medicine, will be recognized as the 2012 honoree for his work in the practice of geriatric medicine with a special dedication in the treatment of those who have Alzheimer’s disease.

JoAnn and Barry Claycomb will receive the Inspiration Award at the gala. That award is given to a person or group that has used the services of the association and advanced its mission.

Dr. Wilkins graduated from the University of Cincinnati Medical School and completed his residency at St. Elizabeth’s. He advanced his studies in geriatrics at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, known as the birthplace of geriatrics.

He established the first Alzheimer’s Day Care Center in the Youngstown area. Dr. Wilkins is a member of the American Geriatrics Society, the British Geriatrics Society and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow.

Dr. Wilkins is married to Kathleen Coughlin and is a graduate of South High School. Over the past 20 years he served as a caregiver for his parents, aunts and uncles, who were afflicted with the disease.

The Claycombs, of Austintown, also have a very personal relationship with Alzheimer’s.

Barry Claycomb, who had worked many years as a machinist, was diagnosed with the disease in May 2009. Since then, the couple have helped advance public awareness about the disease at every opportunity and have encouraged other families and caregivers.

The Claycombs also regularly speak out for more funding for research and programs.

“Take a Chance to End Alzheimer’s” is the theme for the gala, which will feature an interactive reverse raffle and silent and live auctions.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and a sit-down dinner will be served at 7 p.m.

Tickets for the event are $75 per person, and each person will get one reverse raffle entry and the chance to win prizes and cash. Also, special tickets will be sold for the drawing of a $2,500 diamond pendant donated by Komara Jewelers.

Shorty Navarro’s Stadium GM Superstore in Salem is the presenting sponsor for the Forget-Me-Not Gala. Gold sponsors include Aim NationaLease, Comprehensive Logistics, Fleminglease and Humility of Mary Health Partners. Silver Sponsors are Comfort Keepers, Denise DeBartolo York, Senior Independence, Sunrise Senior Living and Stifel Nicolaus-Butler Wick Division.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will support the local programs and services in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties for those who have Alzheimer’s and their families and caregivers.

The association also sponsors the official Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Warren and Boardman in September and October.

For ticket information and details about sponsorship, call Helen T. Paes at the Alzheimer’s Association office in Canfield at 330-533-3330.