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("Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope" is a traveling quilt exhibit about Alzheimer's.)

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative will most likely reach the $1,000,000 mark in money raised for Alzheimer's research some time in 2013!  The work of your hands and the compassion in your hearts has brought them to this milestone. Ami will be forever grateful to each and every one of you for your support and dedication.

What began as one person's response to sorrow and frustration has grown into a national charity embraced by a large portion of the quilting community. More than 13,000 quilts have been donated, turning sweat equity into over $883,000 for research so far. For many donors these quilts were healing works of art which helped them grieve as they stitched for the greater good. Hundreds of thousands of people have seen the AAQI's two traveling quilt exhibits about Alzheimer's. Through this artistry came the realization for many that they were not alone on this journey of heartbreak; others understood, perhaps for the first time, what a diagnosis of Alzheimer's really means. Together quilters have funded 11 research studies at six universities and a medical school. Three more studies will be funded in January and hopefully more throughout 2013. Because of the AAQI, scientists know a little bit more about Alzheimer's than they did before. Hopefully this understanding will bring us all closer to a cure.

When Ami created the AAQI back in 2006, she never expected it to become so successful! She also never imaged how much work it would take to keep it going. As the AAQI blossomed, board members and core volunteers have had to increase their hours and pace to keep up. 

For this reason, 2013 will be the last year of fundraising for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative. Ami hopes you will help the AAQI reach our goal of $1,000,000 for research and then at the end of 2013 celebrate with everyone who made this tremendous achievement possible. 

Note these important dates:

February 15, 2013: All bookings for the traveling exhibit "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope" must be finalized.

March 1, 2013:  First online auction of quilts from "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope" traveling exhibit. Twenty-six Name Quilts will be auctioned during the first 10 days of March, April, May, June, July, August, and September. Payment will be required at the conclusion of each auction with shipping in October 2013 after the exhibit retires. The 54 Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts from the traveling exhibit will be auctioned during the first 10 days of October and December.

July 2013: Last month to participate in the Quilt-A-Month Club.

August 1, 2013: Last day to register Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts. Quilts delivered to scanners after August 20 will be refused.

October 29 - November 3, 2013: International Quilt Festival. We hope to be invited back one last time to sell quilts in Houston, TX.

November 1-10, 2013: Celebrity Invitational Quilt Online Auction

December 30, 2013: Last day Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts can be purchased online.

December 31, 2013: Quilts For Sale and Donation pages will be removed from the AAQI website and all solicitations will cease.

2014-2015: The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative will monitor research grants awarded in 2013. The AQQI web page will be left intact for at least six months. Any funds not needed to sustain the AAQI's final expenses will be donated to research. Remaining assets will be disposed of according to IRS regulations after which time the corporation will be dissolved.

There is still much work to this year as they sprint to the finish line. Ami hops everyone who reads this will join in, either as a seasoned veteran or a first time quilt donor or quilt buyer. The AAQI will continue to make a difference until the very last quilt is sold. Let's help them make 2013 the best year ever!