Dr. Glenner and his wife held more than a passing interest in Alzheimer's when they established the Centers 26 years ago. Dr. Glenner was a physician and research pathologist specializing in AD at UCSD Medical School. He became world renowned for his research and identification of the beta-amyloid protein, which is considered the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and has allowed researchers to make valuable inroads.

However, Dr. and Mrs. Glenner were invested in more than the research - they were very concerned with the living victims of this illness. They saw the day to day struggles of families desperate for help. In fact, the organization was born out of a heartfelt response made by the Glenners after receiving a late night call from a family caregiver struggling with his wife's dementia.

At the end of his emotional tether, the family caregiver wanted to end both their lives. The Glenners called the authorities who came to the family's aid and found the caregiver with a loaded gun standing next to his wife's bed. The situation ended peacefully.

Dr. Glenner turned to Joy that night and said "No one should ever have to face Alzheimer's disease alone again; it's time to start taking care of the living while scientists pursue the answer to this dehumanizing disease that robs the mind of its victim while breaking the hearts of their family." The next day the Glenners founded the Alzheimer's Family Centers. His wife Joy Glenner, formerly a production assistant for CBS TV News, served as in-kind CEO and President of the board of directors for the next 25 years.

The George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers, Inc. (GGG/AFC) continues this commitment to care for the living today by providing compassionate care and education for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones. Caring for the whole family has been our highest priority through education, advocacy, crisis intervention, referrals, financial assistance, and exceptional service.

George G. Glenner (1928-1995) graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1953 and studied surgery and pathology at Mt. Sinai Hospital of New York and Mallory Institute at Boston City College. He served as chief of the Molecular Pathology section and as chairman of the Department of Medicine and Physiology for the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the National Institutes of Health between 1958 and 1980.

In 1982 Dr. Glenner was appointed research pathologist in the Department of Pathology at UCSD School of Medicine. In 1984 he identified the molecular structure of the beta-amyloid protein and its association with Alzheimer's disease and set the stage for future researchers. His subsequent research focused on enzyme treatments to cut the large amyloid precursor protein and prevent plaques from forming in the brain.

In 1982 Dr. Glenner and his wife, Joy, founded the first Alzheimer's Family Center to provide day care for Alzheimer's patients and respite for family caregivers. In 1987 they founded the Alzheimer's School of Dementia Care, which provided training for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and other health care workers.

Dr. Glenner was a member of the National Alzheimer's Association Board of Directors and of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Board. He also served as Medical Advisor to the Alzheimer's Association, San Diego, and he was the chairman of California State Alzheimer's Disease Task Force. Dr. George G. Glenner was named San Diego Citizen of the Year for 1985 by the San Diego Union newspaper. Dr. George Glenner died on July 12, 1995 but his vision for providing compassionate care to families touched by Alzheimer's lives on at the GGG/AFC.