December 2010


Dear Friend of FCA,

2011 is designated as Year of the Family Caregiver by the U.S. Administration on Aging in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the federal National Family Caregiver Support Program. It is yet another testament to how far Family Caregiver Alliance has come in highlighting the challenges and supports needed by family caregivers across the country.

Family Caregiver Alliance is unique in combining the services families use every day—information about caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, or other condition, helping families plan for their finances, services and care, providing respite or counseling and training on taking care of oneself as a caregiver—with advocacy to ensure that support can be there when families need help.

Now we are asking for your help so we may continue on this journey of caregiving and continue to provide high quality services to families. We are asking for your support at this time of giving, gratitude and celebration.

We have been providing help to families for over thirty years now. We continue to achieve key advocacy milestones at the local, state and national levels by (1) starting new services in the Bay Area, (2) developing a statewide system to support caregivers and (3) advocating for caregivers to be recognized and included within health care reform.

Last year we directly served over 2500 families—a struggle given reductions in funding from state sources—but always with our commitment to provide the highest quality service to meet the growing needs of caregivers. However, due to budget cuts, we scaled back on the number of weekend respite camps, short term educational and counseling groups and consultation planning sessions with families. So we are asking for your support now so we may increase support services to family caregivers.

We will be celebrating the Year of the Family Caregiver with special programs throughout this upcoming year so we can continue to highlight the challenges and support needed by caregivers. Help us make 2011 truly the Year of the Family Caregiver with a generous donation now.

To donate online, please click here.

Thank you for your support and best wishes for the New Year.

Sincerely,

Ping Hao, President
Board of Directors