The James M. Dixon Foundation

The James M. Dixon Foundation is a non-profit, 501C3 organization that provides funding for many areas of Alzheimer's and Dementia related diseases, research, as well as support for Caregivers of adults with Alzheimer's and related Dementias through its Mindful Caring project.  The Foundation will provide specific and guided assistance to:

• Agencies, including colleges and universities who conduct research;
• Research hospitals that conduct primary research in the area of Alzheimer's disease in African American males;
• Research hospitals that conduct research in the areas of prevention of Alzheimer's and Dementia related diseases;
• Longitudinal research to determine if persons suffering from late stage Alzheimer's disease have periods of lucidity; and,
• Funding for scholarships at area Medical Schools, named The James M. Dixon Scholarship Fund, especially for students pursuing careers in neurology, gerontology, public health, and disease prevention.

Beginning in 2020, The Foundation will host an annual Fundraiser to take place on or around the 10th of August.  Each event will honor a nominated Caregiver, a Health Provider, Researcher, Student, and Agency or Agency Director.   There will also be a President's Award given.  These awards include monetary gifts. This will be the major funding source for scholarships and research, although ongoing contributions and continual smaller events will take place throughout the year.

Mr. Dixon was born in 1927, in Chicago, IL.  He was decorated in both the Air Force and the Army of the U.S. Armed Services, and was an accountant for the U.S. Postal Service.  Mr. Dixon was a whiz in Math and on the computer, and he was very active in his community.  In 1991, Mr. Dixon and his wife Mimi retired to Sun City Center, Fl. He was active in the Computer Club and continued volunteering to prepare taxes for many years.  Mr. Dixon  experience relatively good health well into his mid 80s, swimming 40 laps per day and traveling across the world.  He won his battles with prostate, stomach, and lung cancers, however, in his late 80s, he became forgetful, lost some reasoning skills, and began to lose his balance, even forgetting how to use the computer and directions to his favorite restaurant.  At the age of 88, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.  During his short  journey with the disease, Mr. Dixon retained his friendly and kind demeanor, greeting everyone he met with a smile.  Although there were other circumstances that developed at the Assisted Living Facility, Mr. Dixon's journey ended at the age of 90, in 2018.  His daughter, Dr. Lori, established The James M. Dixon Foundation in his honor, to bring awareness of the disease and other Dementia related illnesses, to support Caregivers, to recommend legislation protecting residents living at Assisted Living Facilities, to encourage and help fund research, and provide scholarships for students attending medical school.  The Foundation envisions a world free of Alzheimer's disease, and provides opportunities to assist with that vision and allow others avenues to support that vision.  

The Foundation is involved in several activities that allow you to become active against the fight to decrease the number of persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia related diseases each year.  There are also several other events and activities across the Atlanta area that may interest you.  If you live in another city or state, please send us an email message, and we will locate those resources for you.  Some of your local opportunities with 

The Foundation include: 

• Awareness Sessions throughout the Atlanta area.  Check the calendar for specific dates and times.
• I Got My Mind Back book debut - 2020. 

The Foundation and The Alzheimer's Association

• The Longest Day  June 20, 2020.
• The Alzheimer's Walk  -  September 26, 2020.  ______________________________
• The Foundation hosts a weekly digital and social linked newsletters with lots of useful information and resources. Send us an email message, and we will love to sign you up for a subscription.
• Our email address is: mindfulcaring@aol.com
• Our phone contact is: 404-263-6380

Mindful Caring is the Caregiving arm of The Foundation.  Continue reading to see how Mindful Caring supports the community and how you can become involved.