AARP Louisiana names Kathleen “Kathy” Brewer as Andrus Award winner

Kathleen “Kathy” Brewer of DeRidder, Louisiana has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2014 AARP Louisiana Andrus Award for Community Service -- the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

AARP Louisiana selected Brewer for her remarkable service which has greatly benefited the community, supported AARP’s vision and mission, and inspired other volunteers.

After she lost her husband in 2007 to the extremely rare Erdheim-Chester Disease, Brewer founded the Erdheim-Chester Disease Global Alliance, which now has about 500 members from 27 different countries.

The organization’s mission is to raise awareness of ECD, provide support to those affected by the disease, advocate for and support research programs, and share educational materials among interested parties. The Alliance is an invaluable resource for ECD patients and their families, caregivers, medical professionals and researchers.

The award will be formally presented to Brewer at a ceremony on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wooten Theater in DeRidder. 

“This award acts as a symbol to the public that we can all work together for positive social change,” says Dr. Brenda G. Hatfield, State President, AARP Louisiana.  “AARP has long valued the spirit of volunteerism and the important contributions volunteers make to their communities, neighbors, and the programs they serve.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

“Kathy has given ECD patients hope in a dark world, resources when there were none available, and a community that offers encouragement. They have become a global family. Kathy has given unselfishly of her time, money and energy to bring community tools and awareness of this rare disease,” said Sandra Cooper, a close friend of Kathy’s who nominated her for the award.