The Balm In Gilead, Inc. Launches New Website Dedicated to Brain Health

 

RICHMOND, Va. (July 6, 2016) – The Balm In Gilead, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its new initiative and website, the National Brain Health Center for African Americans. The mission of The National Brain Health Center for African American (NBHCAA) is to raise awareness of the issues of cognitive health among African Americans by working through networks of faith-based institutions and by establishing partnerships with organizations and individuals dedicated to the mission. The Brain Health Center serves as an information hub on Cognitive Heath and the human brain.

NBHCAA focuses on three primary areas including brain health education, mobilization, advocacy and networking. Brain health education is essential to our living and well-being. Alzheimer’s, stroke, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury are disorders of the brain that disproportionately affect African Americans and are the focuses area of The Brain Health Center.

“Understanding how our brain functions and what it requires to stay healthy are crucial in the future of the African American community,” comments Dr. Pernessa Seele, Founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc. “Attaining health equity is a goal of The Brain Health Center and we want to make sure we are doing what we can to eliminate health disparities among African Americans.”

As part of NBHCAA objective to provide critical resources and training to health care providers and faith communities, NBHCAA are assisting in mobilizing communities and individual through faith institutions to understand and participate in services related to caregiving and clinical research.

Networking is required to win the fight on eliminating health disparities among African Americans. It is going to take every organization working in the Brain Health space; faith institution, health care providers and every compassionate individual to work together toward our collective goal: Promote the health and quality of life of all Americans. The National Brain Health Center is asking you to join our Network of Organizations and Individuals who are dedicated to raising awareness of the issues of cognitive health among African Americans.

Harvard Law professor Charles Ogletree sees ‘blessing’ despite Alzheimer’s

 

Article by Adelle Banks

 

(RNS) A Harvard law professor who taught both President Obama and his wife, Michelle, told fellow members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church that his faith is helping him cope with a personal diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

“I’ve made up my mind to be thankful for what I have rather than focus on what I may lose,” an emotional Charles Ogletree said Tuesday (July 6) in his bicentennial message at a banquet where 3,000 people kicked off the 50th quadrennial General Conference of the denomination in Philadelphia.

“Nothing but the grace of God and faith enables me to respond this way.”

Ogletree, 63, said he was recently diagnosed by a neurologist.

“It was something I had not anticipated and I didn’t know how to respond to it,” he said. “I never imagined that things like my health would slow me down in such a dramatic way. It was, I must admit, a blessing.”

Ogletree commended AME officials for promoting well-being during the July 5-13 meeting by including morning walks and luncheons focused on health topics. He said he has learned that more than 5 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s and that number is increasing.

“Studies show that African-Americans are almost twice as likely as whites to develop the disease,” he said. “But, praise God, I made up my mind to be grateful despite the illness.”