Thanks to the generosity of Hoag’s philanthropic community, grateful patient Bob Thompson is still riding waves at 80.
When Bob Thompson was first diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, the waves of uncertainty came quickly. An avid surfer who picked up surfing at Brooks Street in Laguna Beach and still makes pilgrimages to Scorpion Bay in Baja California, Bob, now 80, found himself facing a disease known for taking people away from the very life they’ve built.
But thanks to the generosity of Hoag’s philanthropic community, Bob is still catching waves.
Hoag began delivering a newly approved, disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s, monoclonal antibody infusions that can significantly slow cognitive decline when started early. These treatments require careful coordination, including multiple MRIs, IV infusions, and ongoing patient monitoring. A philanthropic gift to Hoag’s Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program helped fund the addition of Erica Welch, PMHNP-BC, MSN, a dedicated nurse practitioner who plays a vital role in both patient care and research.
Erica now helps oversee the administration of these groundbreaking therapies, infusions that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s-related dementia by up to 70% when caught in the early stage. More than 50 patients have already received infusions at Hoag, and Bob was among the first.
“The experience at Hoag has been superb,” he shared. “The care, the people we’ve met, there’s been a sense of community. I was excited to be part of something new.”
“Erica has been a game-changer,” said Peggy, Bob’s wife of nearly 50 years. “She’s so responsive and thoughtful. She adjusted Bob’s medications, evaluated his care plan, and is always there to guide us.
Peggy and Bob speak openly about the difficult road to diagnosis. Mild symptoms at first. Testing after testing. A PET scan. An inconclusive blood test. A long waitlist to see a specialist. For the Thompsons, finding the right people was key. One of those people was Aaron Ritter, MD, Larkin Family Endowed Chair in Integrative Brain Health. When Bob’s symptoms began, the family connected with Dr. Ritter at Hoag and began a care journey that would ultimately lead to participating in these clinical trials.
Bob’s results have been remarkable. After 10 months of infusions, recent testing shows no worsening of symptoms. He stays active at the gym, plays cribbage daily, and helps drive his grandchildren to school.
But it hasn’t just helped Bob. “It’s given me my husband back,” said Peggy. “We’ve grown closer through this.”
They’ve also grown close to the Hoag team. The infusion nurses have become like family. “Julie, Jamie, Carolyn, and Laura are wonderful. They read Bob’s test results before we come in. They know us, they cheer for us, and we feel completely supported.”
Peggy hopes their story encourages other families facing the uncertainty of Alzheimer’s. At Hoag, the addition of a dedicated nurse practitioner—funded through philanthropy—has meant earlier consultations, quicker connections to the right treatments, and renewed hope for families like theirs.
Your support fuels groundbreaking treatments and compassionate care for Alzheimer’s patients at Hoag. Make a gift today to advance innovation and change lives.
