Former members of the EDCWG

  
Magnús Karl Magnússon
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Magnus Karl Magnusson

Magnus´s wife, Elly was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer´s disease at the age of 51 in 2016. Elly has been a trailblazer since her diagnoses. She gave a highly visible public talk after her diagnosis and several media interviews. She has been convinced that Alzheimer´s disease should be destigmatized through open and honest discussion. Elly was the first chairperson of the Icelandic working group of people with dementia. She moved to a care home in the spring of 2022, but continues to be positive and an inspiration to Magnus and everyone that knows her. Magnus has been following in her footsteps by talking about living with Alzheimer's through social media and media interviews. He is a professor of medicine and researcher but has, in his role as spouse and caregiver, focused on the the non-medical issues of Alzheimer's.

Magnus lives in Reykjavik and they have two grown up children. Magnus was nominated by the Icelandic Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimer Iceland).

Filomena Martins Cunha
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Filomena Martins Cunha

"My name is Filomena Martins Cunha, I have 62 years, and I'm living by the sea in the metropolitan area of Lisbon, Portugal. I have a degree in Organizational Psychology and have always worked in human resources management. I currently dedicate my time to volunteering, notably as a member of the national board of Alzheimer Portugal."

Filomena was nominated by Alzheimer Portugal.

Paola Borghesi
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"My name is Paola Borghesi, I'm 65 and live in Rome. I've been working for a bank for 37 years as Operation Manager, and now I'm retired.
My mother lived with Alzheimer's disease from the age of 75 to her death, when she was 89, two years ago. At the beginning it was very hard to accept the new person she was going to be, but I was always with her, trying to learn how to make her comfortable and safe.
In 2021, after her death, Prof. Luisa Bartorelli called me and I accepted to support Alzheimer Uniti Roma as advisor to help people who live with Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer Caffè Garbatella, where I work as a volunteer, is becoming very popular and every time there are new persons with their carer participating. This makes me happy."

Paola was nominated by Alzheimer Uniti Onlus.