CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On May 15, the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will honor two advocates and former caregivers at its 2009 Thanks for the Memories luncheon.

Patty V. Tompkins of Charleston and Eugene McPherson of Parkersburg will receive the Rockefeller Award for outstanding service to the cause of Alzheimer's. The award is named after its first recipient, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

Jane Marks, director of the Alzheimer's Association of West Virginia, said McPherson has been involved in many activities over the years.

In Wood County, he developed a phone tree to let others interested in Alzheimer's know when meetings were being held.

He helped establish the first Alzheimer's support group in Wood County and helped secure funding to start the first Mid Ohio Valley Chapter, which has since merged into the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He also has participated in Memory Walks.

McPherson talks to state legislators about the group's cause and continues to represent families who face the challenge of Alzheimer's. He was caregiver for his wife, Betty, for many years.

"He's just been a great supporter for our cause," Marks said.

Tompkins cared for her husband, Roger Tompkins, who was diagnosed in 1991 at age 54 with what is now called Younger Onset Alzheimer's.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On May 15, the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will honor two advocates and former caregivers at its 2009 Thanks for the Memories luncheon.

Patty V. Tompkins of Charleston and Eugene McPherson of Parkersburg will receive the Rockefeller Award for outstanding service to the cause of Alzheimer's. The award is named after its first recipient, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

Jane Marks, director of the Alzheimer's Association of West Virginia, said McPherson has been involved in many activities over the years.

In Wood County, he developed a phone tree to let others interested in Alzheimer's know when meetings were being held.

He helped establish the first Alzheimer's support group in Wood County and helped secure funding to start the first Mid Ohio Valley Chapter, which has since merged into the West Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. He also has participated in Memory Walks.

McPherson talks to state legislators about the group's cause and continues to represent families who face the challenge of Alzheimer's. He was caregiver for his wife, Betty, for many years.

"He's just been a great supporter for our cause," Marks said.

Tompkins cared for her husband, Roger Tompkins, who was diagnosed in 1991 at age 54 with what is now called Younger Onset Alzheimer's.

He was a Charleston lawyer, a former member of the House of Delegates and served as West Virginia attorney general.

Patty Tompkins helped her husband maintain his normal routines as long as possible, Marks said. For example, Roger enjoyed running and she arranged to have someone run with him after he was diagnosed, Marks said.

"She was really, I guess, ahead of her time," Marks said. "Since then, she has very quietly worked for our cause. She has worked very hard, always behind the scenes."

Tompkins, managing editor of The Charleston Gazette, has served on the board of directors for the West Virginia chapter and has been active in several initiatives over the past 25 years. Patty and Roger Tompkins spoke publicly about the illness, and participated in many public forums and early research projects.

Tompkins has graciously declined the Rockefeller Award in the past, saying others were more deserving, according to Marks.

"I'm so thrilled that she's allowing us to give her the credit she deserves," Marks said.

Individual tickets for the luncheon, which will be held at 11:45 a.m. May 15 at the Charleston Marriott Town Center, are $65 and may be purchased by contacting Laurel Kirksey at laurel.kirk...@alz.org or by calling 304-343-2717.

Corporate sponsorships are also available. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the West Virginia chapter's programs and services. An estimated 49,000 West Virginians suffer from Alzheimer's disease.