Advocating for Alzheimer's: Luke Wilson on Showing Up for the Cause
Release Date: 06/03/2026
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info_outlineLuke Wilson, two months into his new role at the Alzheimer's Association, gets into Paint the Town Purple, the new diagnostic tests, and why caregivers carry the load nobody sees.
Luke grew up in Colorado with a pastor dad and a grandma who ran a PBS workout show for seniors. He came to Nashville through tech sales, did two years in corporate, and figured out it wasn't the life.
What's wild is the timing. Luke's catching the cause at a real turning point. Ten years ago the conversation around Alzheimer's was dark and didn't have a lot of hope. Now there are blood screening tests for both asymptomatic and symptomatic people, the ASAP Act is pushing for Medicare to cover those tests, and the Association is promoting ten healthy brain habits around diet, exercise, and word games. Luke also takes time to shout out the caregivers, the nurses, the doctors, the people quietly going through it day in and day out. He talks about visiting memory care facilities and seeing residents smile, and that being the best part of the job so far.
FAQs
1. What does advocating for Alzheimer's actually look like if I'm just getting started?
Show up to Paint the Town Purple in June, join the October walk, or reach out to the Alzheimer's Association and say you want to help.
2. How do I get involved without having to start a fundraising team from scratch?
Join an existing team for the walk, support a local fundraiser like Dance Murfreesboro's all-night dance, or back the ASAP Act push for Medicare coverage.
3. What are the new blood tests for Alzheimer's and who can take them?
There's one out for people without symptoms and two out for people with symptoms, and the Association is pushing to get Medicare to cover them.
4. When are Paint the Town Purple and the Walk to End Alzheimer's this year?
Paint the Town Purple runs June 4 through June 10 in Rutherford County, and the Walk is in October at the stadium with the final date dropping soon.
5. Who do I contact in Tennessee to plug into programs or advocacy?
Reach out to the Alzheimer's Association of Middle Tennessee, and they'll route you to the right person for programs, advocacy, or your local walk.
Go follow the Alzheimer's Association of Middle Tennessee and show up for Paint the Town Purple the week of June 4th.
Where to find the Association:
Alzheimer's Association of Middle Tennessee: alz.org/TN
Rutherford County Walk to End Alzheimer's: alz.org
Socials: @endalztn
Where to find Spread the Positive:
spreadthepositive.net
Socials: @spreadthepositive