Hug The World
8:00 am - 12:00 am
Benefit for Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation
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Our events play an important role in raising awareness and funding treatment grants for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Brain Fog caused by Long COVID. Each event is made possible through the generosity of our supporters, partners, and sponsors.
The Hug the World Benefit was an unforgettable evening filled with incredible music, heartfelt moments, and an outpouring of generosity in support of the Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation. Hosted at the exclusive Performance Barn at Phil Vassar’s home in Nashville, this intimate event brought together an extraordinary lineup of talent, supporters, and philanthropists, all united by a common cause—improving access to life-changing treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Brain Fog from Long COVID for America’s underinsured.
The evening began with a warm welcome from our emcees, Taylor Stanford and Ron Allen of Y’all 106.7 Radio, who kept the energy high and the audience engaged. Guests were treated to a spectacular brain-healthy menu curated by Executive Chef Brian Riggenbach of The Mockingbird, ensuring a dining experience as nourishing as it was delicious.
One of the night’s most touching moments was the screening of Kindness Matters, a short film starring Phil Vassar that highlights the challenges of Alzheimer’s caregiving with grace and compassion. This powerful film resonated deeply with attendees, underscoring the importance of supporting those affected by the disease.
The music was nothing short of spectacular, with performances from Phil Vassar, Jimmie Allen, Mark Schneider, Mariah Faith, Presley & Taylor, and Rachel Hale. The highlight of the evening was the performance of “Hug the World,” a song written by Bob Fischer, Phil Vassar, and Lori Fischer, which beautifully captured the spirit of the night and the mission of the foundation.
The night would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our sponsors and donors. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
The Hug the World Benefit was just the beginning. As we continue to grow the Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide financial assistance for essential treatments that improve the lives of those battling this disease. With the momentum from this event, we are more determined than ever to expand our reach and impact.
Thank you to all who attended, donated, performed, and supported this cause. Your kindness and generosity are helping to create a future where Alzheimer’s patients receive the care they deserve.
Until next year—let’s continue to Hug the World!
At the Hug the World event for the Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation, we will screen the short film Kindness Matters, starring Phil Vassar. Director and screenwriter Lori Fischer will join Phil for a discussion about the film.
The Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving access to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and related cognitive conditions. It provides financial support to underinsured patients when insurance doesn’t cover costs like copays, premiums, deductibles, or out-of-pocket treatment expenses. Grants help patients access essential therapies, advanced treatment modalities, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals that might otherwise be unaffordable.
The Foundation focuses on helping underinsured individuals living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and conditions like Brain Fog from Long COVID. Its mission is to ensure that no patient goes without necessary treatment due to financial barriers, and to help rekindle hope for patients and their families.
You can get involved by donating, participating in fundraising events like benefit auctions, and spreading awareness about the Foundation’s work. Donations directly fund treatment access and support the Foundation’s efforts to bridge financial gaps for patients.
Yes. In addition to directly assisting patients, the Foundation will support research initiatives, clinical trials, and projects aimed at advancing the treatment, understanding, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. It will also encourage emerging medical professionals to focus on Alzheimer’s care and cognitive health research.
The Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation partners with Alzheimer’s treatment and research facilities to advance care for cognitive conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia. These partners use artificial intelligence and precision medicine to identify root causes of cognitive decline. Their protocols have shown success, with 75% of mild cognitive impairment patients experiencing no further decline. This partnership helps the foundation’s mission to improve outcomes for those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Ronald F. Buckley, Chairman and President of the Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation, brings over 30 years of experience as a real estate developer, licensed real estate broker, and general contractor. He has managed development projects valued at over $1 billion, including student housing, mixed-use town centers, and marina developments. As founder of multiple successful ventures, including Intergroup Realty and Trident Realty, Mr. Buckley has developed thousands of residential units and award-winning historic preservation projects. A U.S. Naval Officer and University of Detroit graduate, he holds active Florida licenses as a general contractor and real estate broker.
Dr. Bouquette, a board member of the Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation, has a distinguished background in Emergency Medicine and integrative care. Named 1994 Physician of the Year at Rockdale Medical Center in Conyers, GA, he has researched the impact of nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, and environmental toxins on the immune system. A member of the American College of Environmental Medicine and a certified IAQA mold remediator, Dr. Bouquette combines expertise in environmental, traditional, and alternative medicine. He earned his medical degree from Ohio State University and completed his internship at Emory University.
H. Allen Samuels, a Florida Certified Public Accountant, serves as Secretary/Treasurer and a board member for the Alzheimer’s Treatment Foundation, contributing his extensive financial expertise to support the organization’s mission. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership roles, including Controller for a major student housing developer managing over 10,000 beds, CFO of a $200 million mixed-use and condominium developer, and CFO of a local insurance agency generating $10 million in annual revenue. His deep knowledge of financial management and strategic planning makes him a valuable asset to the foundation and its work.
Alfred Zaccagnino
The Samarian Group
Kristin Bentz
Former host of The Street on CNBC
Patrice Samara
the Founder & President of Triumph Communications Group and COO of Wordeee
Phil Vassar
Legendary Singer/Songwriter
Rowena Poitier Sutherland
Former Minister of Culture for the Bahamas
Tim Loudermilk
prominent Entertainment Attorney
Hala Moddelmog
Corporate Director of FLEETCOR Technologies and Director of Lamb Weston
Michael Parker
Publisher/CEO of Wordcrafts Press
Matt George
Big Brand Ventures, CEO of The Harrington Foundation, Harvard Business School Executive Leadership Coach
Tony Sun
Former CEO of Venrock, the Rockefeller Family Venture Fund
Tom Heshion
Arizona Mountain Vinyards, Founder and CEO Auto-by-Tel.com