To: Joanne Drake, Chief of Staff, President Ronald Reagan

From: Eric J. Hall, CEO, Alzheimer's Foundation of America

Dear Ms. Drake,

On behalf of the board of trustees, staff and clients of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, I'd like to express my deepest sympathy to the Reagan family and to all of those, such as yourself, who had worked so closely with the former President. As an organization that focuses on care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families, AFA understands the Reagans' courageous journey during the past decade; we hope that the nation's outpouring of admiration for President Reagan and respect for President and Mrs. Reagan in publicly acknowledging their battle with Alzheimer's disease bring comfort during this time.

Out of respect for the Reagan family, we would like to inform you that AFA is spearheading a national candle lighting ceremony that will be carried out in local communities from coast to coast on Friday, June 11 to remember the late leader and to light flames of hope for the increasing number of Americans touched by Alzheimer's disease. The ceremonies will be held at various venues and times.

The foundation has been told that you were the best person to reach out to in order to share our plans with the Reagan family about this grassroots tribute. We would greatly appreciate it if you would share this with them.

Called "Remembering Reagan, Remembering To Care," the candle lighting will enable Americans to gather together in unity to mourn the loss of President Reagan, and to pay tribute to Mrs. Reagan for her dedication as a caregiver, which has provided inspiration to other caregivers nationwide. The ceremonies will also remember the names of other Americans who have passed away from Alzheimer's or are suffering with it. In addition, as flames of hope glow in local communities, we hope these ceremonies shed light on the fact that care is available for the millions of Americans battling Alzheimer's and related illnesses. We want Americans to know that local agencies nationwide stand ready to lend emotional and practical support that can improve quality of life.

We spearheaded this initiative as a means of paying the highest tribute to the late President and Mrs. Reagan. Dozens of organizations from coast to coast have agreed to hold local ceremonies-evidence of the groundswell of emotion at this time of national mourning.

In addition to this special event, AFA would like to pay tribute to the Reagans during its annual National Commemorative Candle Lighting on November 10. Each year, hundreds of sites across the U.S. unite on the same day to honor those affected by Alzheimer's in recognition of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month.

Founded in February 2002, AFA focuses on "care...in addition to cure" for those affected by Alzheimer's and related illnesses, and unites member organizations in nearly all 50 states to collaborate on education, program development and national initiatives, such as raising awareness of early diagnosis.

Thank you so much. Again, we express our sincerest condolences.

Sincerely,

Eric J. Hall