Starks, Aarons to co-chair 2026 Memory Gala

Doug and Kathi Stark and Jerry and Jan Aaron will serve as co-chairs for the Central and Western Kansas Alzheimer’s Association Chapter 2026 Memory Gala. The Stark family founded ComfortCare Homes in 1993 after caring for their grandparents with dementia through the 1980s.

The following message from the Starks and the Aarons appeared in the chapter’s December newsletter, inviting the community to attend the 2026 Memory Gala on April 24, 2026.

To Our Champions of Hope and Progress, 

It is with incredible pride and deep gratitude that we, as Honorary Co-Chairs of the event, invite you to join us for the Alzheimer's Association 2026 Memory Gala, Milestones, on Friday, April 24th, 2026. This special evening is dedicated to honoring life's milestones and striving for a future where individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease can fully experience the joy and beauty of every moment. Together, we will celebrate progress, connection, and the steadfast mission of the Alzheimer's Association to create a brighter future for all those affected by Alzheimer's and dementia. 

For our family, this cause has always been close to home. After caring for my grandparents with dementia throughout the 1980s, we founded Comfort Care Homes with a simple vision: to create a more natural care model in residential homes that truly felt like home for every resident, where they were treated with warmth, respect, and dignity. What began as a personal act of love has grown into a lifelong purpose. Over the years, through both our professional journey and personal experiences, we have witnessed the profound challenges Alzheimer's brings to families, and, just as powerfully, the resilience and love that occur in response. 

When I helped launch the first Memory Gala in 2018, we could only dream of the progress that lay ahead. Today, that dream continues to take shape with this event and its impact. In recent years, our community has seen extraordinary advancements, including two FDA-approved drugs, a blood test for early detection, and more breakthroughs on the horizon. With this progress, families are gaining something priceless–more time. More birthdays to celebrate. More graduations to attend. More weddings, laughter, quality time, and moments to hold close. Each of these milestones reminds us why this mission matters. 

The compassion and generosity of this incredible community continue to make this possible. Your contributions drive vital education, resources, and support for families, ensuring that no caregiver ever faces this journey alone and that those living with Alzheimer's have the chance to reach new milestones as we move closer to a world without this disease. We are especially grateful to share this year's Gala with our dear friends and Co-Chairs, Jan and Jerry Aaron, whose dedication and partnership inspire us daily. Together, we look forward to an evening filled with connection and purpose, honoring how far we've come and embracing the milestones yet to be reached. 

We invite you to join us at the 2026 Memory Gala, Milestones, as we celebrate hope, progress, and the moments that make life truly meaningful. With your ongoing support, we can continue to give families the gift of time and more opportunities to remember, to cherish, and to love. 

With Hope and Gratitude,

Jerry & Jan Aaron and Doug & Kathi Stark

2026 Memory Gala Co-Chairs