June 4, 2026 – MADISON…Four Dane County Alzheimer’s Association advocates representing Wisconsin’s second congressional district received “Alzheimer’s Congressional Team of the Year” recognition at the 2026 Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. This is the nation’s premier Alzheimer’s disease advocacy event. 

Fatou Ceesay, Darian Dalsen, Jason Hiller and Lauren Ledbury have worked together to build a strong, collaborative relationship with Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) — helping him become an informed and active champion for the Alzheimer’s community. Over 12 years, Rep. Pocan has consistently stood alongside advocates in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia, most recently co-sponsoring both the ASAP Act and the AADAPT Act.

During a challenging year for federal research funding, the team stepped up to ensure Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) remained a national priority. Team members attended a public town hall and raised questions about Alzheimer’s research funding, and submitted multiple letters to the editor urging continued federal investment in the fight against the disease.

Accepting the award on behalf of the team, Fatou Ceesay noted that for her, this work is both professional and personal. Through her work serving seniors and families, she sees daily how Alzheimer’s affects not only the person diagnosed, but everyone who loves them. That understanding deepened when she watched her aunts care for her grandmother as she lived with dementia.

“That experience is why I do this work, why I do it alongside my own children, and why I refuse to stop until we live in a world without Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Fatou.

Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.