It is with great pleasure that we award John Sandblom from Central Iowa, USA the 2024 Richard Taylor Memorial Advocates Award. He was graciously nominated by Vice Chair, Janine Whited.
Although we made this announcement personally to John last week, we are pleased to announce it officially today, on World Alzheimer's Day.
John Sandblom, one of DAI's inaugural co-founders, has spent his entire life in central Iowa, except for his college years at the University of Iowa in eastern Iowa. He worked primarily in business-to-business sales, beginning with print advertising, then moving to television advertising, and later, telecommunications sales.
In 2007, at the age of 48, John was diagnosed with Younger Onset Atypical Alzheimer’s Disease by a gerontologist specializing in dementia—the same doctor who had diagnosed his father with Alzheimer’s in his early 70s. Seeking a second opinion, John underwent further testing at the Mayo Clinic in 2009, where it was confirmed that he had dementia, though the specific type remained unclear. His local neurologist initially labeled it as atypical frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, in 2011, after receiving his father’s complete research autopsy, which confirmed Alzheimer’s Disease, John’s diagnosis was revised to atypical Alzheimer’s.
Not only is John a founding member of DAI, but he continues to be an active contributor. For example, he recently rejoined the board when asked to assist and also helps with the finance committee. Most importantly, John co-hosts a peer-to-peer support group every week. His personal story is one of hope—not only because of his advocacy work but because he is still living well with dementia so many years after his diagnosis.
John now advocates for people with dementia at local, regional, state, and international levels. He also founded a support group exclusively for individuals living with dementia, which has become a valuable resource and one of his proudest achievements.
Congratulations from us all John!
Thank you for all you have done, and continue to do.
