June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness month and the South Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is hosting a "Rally For Access"

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's Disease and it is a leading cause of death with 1 in 3 seniors dying with Alzheimer's or another dementia. Also, more than 11 million family members and friends are caring for someone with this cruel disease.

Here in South Dakota, more than 18,000 people are living with Alzheimer's and more than 26,000 family members and friends are caring for them.

Right now, there are 2 FDA-approved drug treatments for early-stage Alzheimer's, but they are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. That is what this rally is all about.

The "Rally For Access" here in Sioux Falls is coming up this Sunday, from 3 to 3:30 PM at Fawick Park in downtown Sioux Falls. It is your chance to be part of one of the 50 state rallies going on this month across the U.S.

The South Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association encourages everyone to let their voices be heard on this issue.

Every day more than 2,000 people with early-stage Alzheimer's move to a more advanced stage of the disease because they don't have access to these two medications. When that happens they aren't eligible for treatment anymore.

You can pre-register for the rally or just come on out this Sunday from 3 to 3:30 at Fawick Park.

For more information on the rally, or if your family needs guidance with an Alzheimer's diagnosis contact the South Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association online, or by calling 605-339-4543 or the 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

Who Is Ben Reifel And Why Is A Sioux Falls School Named After Him?

Sioux Falls has a new middle school named Ben Reifel Middle School. It just opened for the 2021 fall school year.

If you've traveled the east side of Sioux Falls you've probably noticed the progress in the school's construction. It is located at Faith Ave. on the cites east side just northeast of Harmodon Park off 41st Street.

Sioux Falls' newest middle school bears the name of Benjamin Reifel, also known as Lone Feather. So who is Ben Reifel?