Why I'm Jamming - 2026

My father Salvatore had 11 siblings, half of whom suffered from dementia toward the ends of their lives. While they have all passed, their legacy of dementia is still with us, and stealing the lives of many of my cousins, the next generation of Aquino's.  And with our aging population worldwide, Alzheimer's is afflicting more and more. 

The good news is that real progress has been made through the research being done, including a simple blood test that can identify the disease.

The bad news? By withholding research funding from major universities and other institutions, the federal government is putting these studies at risk. And even just a temporary pause can render some studies useless, and all the funding that came before is wasted. 

So this year I hope you'll join me in helping the Alzheimer's Association keep the momentum going until the country comes to its senses again. 

On June 27th, as we have for the past 10 years, my friends and I will be making jam from the blackberries and the figs I grow here in my yard in Hollywood, and offering jars as a thank-you to anyone giving over $250, as well as raffling off jars and other fun swag to those giving over $25. 

It's a wonderful activity and a reminder that, working together, we can beat this thing.