It is with immense sadness that UsAgainstAlzheimer’s announces Co-Founder and Vice Chair Trish Vradenburg’s passing, and it is with the utmost gratitude that the organization cherishes her legacy and forges ahead in her powerful memory.
Trish Vradenburg’s unflinching spirit – her imagination, quick-witted humor, empathy, generosity and her exceptional tenacity to stop the suffering of others – was captured in her every action. Trish’s life was an inspiring portrait of creativity and versatility, employing her gifts of writing and storytelling throughout a successful professional career. She put her passion and humor on the page most especially when she wrote about losing her mom, Bea Lerner, in her play Surviving Grace. It wasn’t just a play she wrote – it was a tribute to her mother and her relentless fight to stop Alzheimer’s.
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s was borne out of her passion to fight back against Alzheimer’s disease. Trish’s unique whimsical style was instrumental in leading the organization on a path to make meaningful progress against a disease that caused their family so much pain.
Trish was a gifted and relentless advocate in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s. She helped achieve increased funding for Alzheimer’s research and build a growing public-private consensus that a cure for the disease must be reached by the year 2025.
Trish started this fight for her mother, and now, we – all of us – need to finish it for both of them. We’ve started the Bea Lerner Fund to honor both of their legacies. In lieu of flowers, if you are so moved, we ask that you make donations to the Bea Lerner Fund to help us stop Alzheimer’s.
You can read more about Trish's passing and legacy below
Statements on the passing of Trish Vradenburg:
- UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Statement: UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Mourns Passing of Adored and Inspirational Co-Founder and Vice-Chair Trish Vradenburg
- Jill Lesser’s blog post: WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s Mourns Passing of Adored and Inspirational Founder, Trish Vradenburg
- Washington Post: Trish Vradenburg, TV Screenwriter who put spotlight on Alzheimer's, dies at 70
- New York Times: Trish Vradenburg, Crusader Against Alzheimer's, Dies at 70
- Los Angeles Times: Obituary
- Wall Street Journal: Mother's Diagnosis Changed the Script for Sitcom Writer Trish Vradenburg
- Jewish Journal: Trish Vradenburg, TV writer who crusaded against Alzheimer's, dies at 70
- Hollywood Reporter: Trish Vradenburg, Sitcom Writer and Advocate in Fight Against Alzheimer's, Dies at 70
- Senator Markey: Remarks on Trish Vradenburg
- Jason Resendez and Stephanie Monroe: Remembering Trish Vradenburg: Philanthropist & Crusader Against Brain Health Disparities
Articles Regarding Trish Vrandenburg's Alzheimer's Advocacy & Legacy:
- Washingtonian: Meet the 2016 Washingtonians of the Year
The Washingtonian profiled eleven locals whose commitment to helping others makes Washington a better place to live. Trish and George Vradenburg are waging a take-no-prisoners war against Alzheimer’s. “I’m doing it for that woman over there,” Trish says, pointing to a picture of her late mother, who was diagnosed 30 years ago. Says George, pointing to his wife: “I’m doing it for that woman over there.” - Washingtonian: One Couple’s Battle Against Alzheimer’s
- Washington Post: George and Trish Vradenburg’s new take on Alzheimer’s fight: More speed, fewer galas
- Washington Post First Person: Trish Vradenburg, writer and co-founder, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s
- Washington Post: Trish Vradenburg’s “Surviving Grace” gets laughs and donations to fight Alzheimer’s disease