Shop with Purpose: The Judy Fund Care + Cure Collection to #ENDALZ

The holiday season is a time for gathering, sharing stories, and creating memories that last a lifetime. But for millions of families, Alzheimer’s disease disrupts these precious moments—especially for women, who are disproportionately affected both as patients and as caregivers.

For the third year, Democracy Clothing is proud to support The Judy Fund, this time with a new initiative: The Care + Cure Collection. This curated selection of holiday styles makes a real impact, with 5% of every purchase going directly to The Judy Fund through the Alzheimer’s Association, helping to advance the Women’s Alzheimer’s Research Initiative at the Alzheimer’s Association, and funding care and support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

Coming Together for a Common Cause

The Care + Cure Collection is rooted in a decades-long friendship between Democracy’s founder Caren Lettiere and Elizabeth Gelfand Stearns, chair of The Judy Fund, who met as students at UCLA. Over the years, their bond has grown through a shared commitment to empowering women and advancing the fight against Alzheimer’s.

When it came time to launch this year’s Care + Cure Collection, Caren and Elizabeth embraced the chance to connect in person for a meaningful pop-up event. At the Laya Boutique in Santa Monica, Caren and Elizabeth brought together friends, family, and community members for a shopping and learning experience to benefit The Judy Fund.

At the pop-up, Elizabeth shared vital information about the impact of Alzheimer’s on women and registered attendees for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s while the Democracy team helped women find their fit and size in confidence-boosting styles. The gathering reflected support across generations, from Elizabeth’s niece and her niece’s young daughter to Caren’s sisters and 85-year-old mother. Together, attendees honored the collection’s purpose, emphasizing that Alzheimer’s affects all ages and that everyone can play a role in finding a cure.

Why This Matters

Alzheimer’s disease affects women at disproportionate rates, impacting their health, daily lives, and often positioning them as primary caregivers. Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women, and researchers believe that hormonal factors, like the drop in estrogen during menopause, may increase Alzheimer’s risk. Alongside these biological risks, over 60% of caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s are also women, who often face the dual challenges of caregiving and managing careers and families. Consider these statistics shared by the Alzheimer’s Association:

Over 11 million women in the U.S. are either living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone who has it.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women, including almost 4 million of the nearly 7 million people aged 65 and older with the disease.
Women in their 60s are more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s over the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.

Care + Cure: Supporting Research and Resources for Women

The Care + Cure Collection not only raises awareness but also directly supports The Judy Fund’s impact. Established in memory of Elizabeth’s mother, Judy Gelfand, The Judy Fund has raised and granted over $10 million, uniting thousands of donors in support of Alzheimer’s research and caregiving resources. Contributions from the Care + Cure Collection will fund:

Care: Resources for Patients and their Caregivers – The Judy Fund, through its national support of Walk to End Alzheimer’s, helps caregivers access essential resources, including support groups, counseling, and respite care, alleviating some of the burdens that caregivers face.
Cure: The Women’s Alzheimer’s Research Initiative – Addressing the unique biological and lifestyle factors that increase Alzheimer’s risk for women, The Judy Fund supports cutting-edge studies aimed at prevention, treatment, and, ultimately, a cure.

Make a Difference This Holiday Season

When you shop from the Care + Cure Collection, you’re not only gifting yourself or someone you love, but also supporting The Judy Fund’s mission to empower caregivers and advance research that could one-day end Alzheimer’s devastating impact on women. Here’s how you can help:

Shop with Purpose: Shop the Care + Cure Collection and 5% of proceeds will support The Judy Fund.
Share the Cause: Spread the word about the Care + Cure Collection and the mission of The Judy Fund by sharing this post with your community.

The Care + Cure Collection represents the true spirit of the holidays: connection, compassion and community. Together, we can turn gifting into an act of care.