There is a very special message posted by the Executive Director of Alzheimers`Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI), Ami Simms, here. The message explains why 2013 will bring the AAQI to a close. If you follow my blog you will likely already be aware that I support this cause by making small art quilts for sale and auction. With an end in sight for AAQI, I need to step up to the plate and get to work if I hope to attain my goal of making enough quilts to raise $1,000.00 for them. So, like AAQI`s goal of raising $1,000,000.00 before they close their doors, I have my own goal in sight.
This month`s AAQI auction, starting Friday, features name quilts from the AAQI traveling exhibit "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak to Hope." You can read more about the exhibit here. It features 236 quilts. Long, narrow "Name Quilts" are made from 55 purple patches, each marked with the name of a person who has/had Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
The "wrong" side of the fabric patches are showing. The color looks faded. The bright side of the cloth, full of the color and pattern of life, has been turned to the inside of the quilt, never to be seen again.
The Name Quilts create a wall more than 10,000 names, representing and honoring the 5.4 million people in the United States who have this horrid disease. The other name quilts will be auctioned later this year. I have my eye on Quilt #87 when it comes up for bid because that is the one that holds my beloved Aunt Olive's name.
If you have ever thought of buying a quilt to support AAQI, or of making and donating one to help the cause, do it now please! The end is in sight but it feels very good to have helped in this fight. Do it for a loved one or do it for yourself.
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