Tonight, May 20th at 5:30 PM EST/4:30 CST, EWTN Global Network will feature our own Ellen Marie Edmonds on EWTN Bookmark, hosted by Doug Keck.  The show highlights the audio edition of Edmonds’ international bestseller, Embracing Dementia – A Call to Love.  The audio version, read by Edmonds, was created to help families and ministers with vision challenges, as well as those who prefer audio books. To watch or listen to the live broadcast on-line, click
here.

The United for Life Foundation was a proud sponsor of the
Chick-fil-A Leadercast conference which took place Friday, May 10^th,
2013, at the Southeastern Bible College in Birmingham, Alabama. The theme for
this year’s Leadercast was “Simply Lead,” and the event sold out three days
before it even started! Over 170 corporate executives and leaders were in
attendance and the event was simulcast all across the country where over
120,000 executives and business leaders participated.

Why did United for Life Foundation sponsor Leadercast? There
are two reasons. First, being an effective leader means being able to serve all
those under his or her leadership, from the highest position to the very least.
Learning how to better serve others through example can only make our
organization more effective in the way we conduct our outreach in the community.
Second, by our volunteer board and staff members participating in the event, we
become a more efficient and effective organization overall as each individual
learns new ways to better manage his or her time in our complex world,
especially when crisis situations arise and demand our immediate attention.

If you were unable to attend this inspiring and practical
conference, you and your organization can still benefit from the wealth of
knowledge by having the conference come to you. Just let us know that you are
interested in having an in-house Leadercast Workshop and we can bring the
recorded talks and information to your organization. The United for Life
Foundation can also provide “brown bag” lunches and workshops for organizations
on topics such as “What if it’s Alzheimer’s?” and “Can Alzheimer’s be Prevented?”
Presentations and workshops can be customized to fit the needs of your organization.
Call 205-969-0771 or e-mail, info@UnitedforLifeFoundation.org
for more information.

The music festival on the evening of April 12^th at the Samford Wright Center was a “big success,” and “everyone had a great time, including the bands and local talent,” said Ryan Penny of the Samford Catholic Student Association. The seven local acts that performed on stage included, Dixon Todd, Kara Young, Cam Spinks, Jeremy Moore, Michael Adams, Captain Captain Cutie Pie, Joe and Mary Ann Rena and Eric Hawley. The main acts featured Nashville bands, Chris Cole and Samuel Knight. Door prize sponsors included, Chick-fil-A, Cheesecake Factory, Seasons 52, Zoës, Chuy’s. Flip Burger, Carmike Cinemas, and many, many more. “We definitely want to do this next year,” feature act Samuel Knight concluded following the energetic and uplifting festival. Photos and videos of the event are coming soon!

LOVE COME ALIVE

A Festival of Music for the Culture of Life

Friday, April 12^th, 2013,  Wright Center @ Samford University

Doors open @ 6PM, Concert begins @7 PM

 Featuring:

Chris Cole, Sam Pellegrene, and the band from The Glory Collective

And Local Birmingham Talent!
Emcee: Ronnie Bruce of WDJC

 Free Event – Pre-Registration Required

Concert Information and Talent Search Requirements:

www.UnitedforLifeFoundation.org/lca

(205) 969-0771 or Email: ljb@unitedforlifefoundation.org

Brought to you by:

Untied for Life Foundation

Diocese of Birmingham Campus Ministry

The Birmingham Love Come Alive TALENT SEARCH has begun! The prize? Performing
in front of hundreds of new fans at Samford University’s Wright Center on April
12! The rules? Tweet a YouTube link of you performing an original song
with lyrics in the comments section. Be sure to mention @MysteriumOnline and
#LoveComeAlive so we see it. We will judge based on the truth and beauty of the
song and the quality of the performance. Lots of retweets and YouTube views
will certainly help. Semi-finalists will be announced in March!

Event Registration now open!  http://www.unitedforlifefoundation.org/lca

EWTN Global Catholic Network will air a new television series called, “When the Diagnosis is Dementia” February 4-8 on “Women of Grace” hosted by Johnnette Benkovic.  The shows, which air Monday-Friday at 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Central Time, feature Birmingham author and radio personality, Ellen Marie Edmonds; clinical psychologist, Dr. Jacqueline DeMarco of Mountain Brook; and neuropsychologist, Dr. DeLisa West of West Neuropsychology at Princeton Baptist Medical Center.

While the series addresses multiple aspects of Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases, there is particular focus on the psychological and relational impacts to the patient, family members, and caregivers.  Topics include identifying signs of dementia disease, cognitive testing and assessment, behavioral challenges, care options, grief management, role and relationship changes, the importance of faith, and the need for good support programs.

Edmonds, host of the radio show “Embracing Alzheimer’s in Mind and Heart” lost her husband Frank Edmonds to vascular dementia triggered by a head injury in an auto accident.  She describes the journey of dementia disease from a family and caregiver perspective, presenting challenges and solutions for embracing the disease. Her book, “Embracing Dementia-A Call to Love” published by DeetBrari LLC is in over 21 countries.

Dr. West specializes in outpatient cognitive testing of patients who have experienced head injury, stroke, or other neurological disorders that can affect cognitive function and the patient’s need for specialized care, whether permanent or temporary.  Dr. DeMarco specializes in clinical psychology, and addresses some of the unique family challenges of dementia diseases, including behavioral issues, relationship changes, the grief factor, and managing stress.

Dementia disease can attack different areas of the brain, resulting in a variety of cognitive and physical changes including memory loss and reasoning decline.  In the US alone, nearly 7 million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementia disease.  Most cases of dementia are diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, there are about 30 million people with Alzheimer’s disease. For each diagnosis of dementia, an average of 9 more people are directly affected.

In response to the growing need in the Diocese of Birmingham, the United for Life Foundation and Knights of Columbus Council 9676 jointly began an “Alzheimer’s Awareness & Support Program” for those wanting to know more about dementia disease and/or to join a support group.  The group meets at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church on Hwy 119 at 5:30 p.m. on the 2^nd and 4^th  Wednesdays of each month. The program, developed by Edmonds, consists of her book, facilitator and participant guides, and an audio discussion series.  For information about starting a program in a parish or other organization, visit online at www.UnitedForLifeFoundation.org or call 205 969-0771.  For EWTN info, visit www.ewtn.com; for dementia info visit www.EmbracingDementia.com

On Friday, April 12th, hundreds will gather at the Wright Center on Samford University’s campus for Love Come Alive, a festival of music for the culture of life. This unique concert event has already taken place in cities all over the country and been featured on national television. Artists coming to Birmingham include Chris Cole, Sam Pellegrene, and the band from The Glory Collective, whose album topped the iTunes Christian & Gospel charts this past summer. Save the date and tell your friends now. April 12th at the Samford Wright Center.

Ticket information will be availible soon.

On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, through a partnership with Knights of Columbus (KOC) council #9676, Ellen moderated the first Alzheimer’s support group at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This support group began out of the need to assist Knights who were already caring for a spouse, parent, or sibling with the disease. The support group now meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 5:30 P.M. and is open to other churches in the community.  The support group topics are based on Ellen’s 13-part radio series, “Alzheimer’s, a Faith Perspective.” The program includes a Facilitator Guide and a Participant Workbook developed by Ellen to guide the discussions. We have developed “A Dementia Education and Awareness Support  Group Program Starter Kit,” which includes these resources as well as Ellen’s book, ”Embracing Dementia-A Call to Love” so that churches, community organizations, and care facilities can begin their own support groups and awareness campaigns. We plan to develop additional Alzheimer’s support group kits with other radio program topics to meet the needs of specific groups, care giving professionals, and families.

To purchase an Alzheimer’s Support Group Starter kit, go to the ”Resources” tab on teh web site or click this link:

http://www.unitedforlifefoundation.org/category/Alzheimers-Resources-9

You are cordially invited to join us for a very special “Hearts of Hope” Alzheimer’s Dinner Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 6:30 PM at The Club in Birmingham, Alabama.

With celebrity emcee Edie Hand and internationally known neurologist/author Dr. Daniel Potts, the evening will be inspiring, entertaining, and educational. Ellen Marie Edmonds, an internationally known author and radio host, will be honoring her late husband, Frank Edmonds by sharing her personal journey with Frank’s vascular dementia and how it has allowed her to form collaborative partnerships to make a positive difference in the growing world of  Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases.

Frank Edmonds retired as CEO of BellSouth/AT&T in Mississippi. As a Scout leader, a supporter of schools and education, and a community leader, he was charismatic and committed to making life better for others. As a war veteran and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others, and now he proudly rests at Arlington National Cemetery. But with all Frank contributed to the world as a successful businessman, his greatest contribution could be the worldwide sharing of his journey to “littleness” through dementia disease.

In 2009, in response to growing statistics in Alabama and worldwide, the United for Life Foundation added the Alzheimer’s/dementia component to its portfolio. The
results have been impressively successful in bringing hope and practical help to many in need; and we invite you to join us in this most worthwhile event to continue our work. Please also invite everyone you know who is affected personally and/or professionally by this disease, as well as those who would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s. If you are unable to attend but wish to help support our work, you can become a partner by just selecting a level of sponsorship.

Those attending the dinner will receive autographed books from each of the speakers (retail value $50). Thank you for helping us honor Frank and make a difference for those dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases. The is also a raffle for 14kt solid gold cufflinks from the personal collection of the late N. Frank Edmonds and were previously owned by the late Most Reverend Joseph B. Brunini, former Bishop of the Diocese of Jackson in Mississippi.

Dinner and raffle tickets, sponsorship and RSVP information are available on the web stie; www.HeartsofHope.org

To print the Conference Media Order Form – Click Here:
http://www.unitedforlifefoundation.org/conferenceorderform.pdf

Both sets include a Conference Resource Guide which includes contact information for the speakers and exhibitors.

Presented by the United for Life Foundation and the  Birmingham Baptist Association