In March 2002 Effie Marie was nominated and elected President, as well as Director of Research and Project Development of The Hellenic American Historical Society of Rhode Island. She was also on the Board of Directors of this organization and one of its founders. The mission, at that time, was to participate with an exhibit as a full partner at Heritage Harbor Museum in Providence Rhode Island. Her commitments/offices with this organization were non-paid positions which involved many personal sacrifices on her part in order to get this organization off the ground and attain its goals. During her tenure, she managed to obtain "Partnership” status at the Heritage Harbor Museum, a particularly difficult feat of accomplishment, considering that the “spots” at the museum were already allocated to all the other heritage groups that were involved in this project 5 years prior to the formation of this organization.
It was the museum’s belief in her capabilities that prompted their agreement and acceptance of one more “Partner” organization. Through her tireless efforts and dynamic public relations, she attracted interest and expanded the Board of Directors of the Hellenic American Historical Society of Rhode Island from the 4 original Officers/Directors to 15 by the end of her first year. During that year, she also sat on the Board of Directors of Heritage Harbor Museum, along with the other member organizations, who each had one member sitting on the museum’s Board. She held this position for one year and departed after – through many personal sacrifices, and much hard work on her part - she had taken it to its highest level. It was under her direction that the organization reached its peak.
During this same approximate time-frame, she was also Vice-President of Public Relations for the Providence chapter of Toastmasters International.
Despite her overloaded schedule, her compassion for human suffering and desire to help those in need led her to become a hospital volunteer.
Effie Marie was also an editor-in-chief of a start-up weekly newspaper with great success. By definition of the publishers, the newspaper was to be “regional”. Under Ms. Lascarides’ direction and vision, it became a nationally acclaimed newspaper – at the time – with a strong academic following.
In addition to her excellent written and verbal communication skills, she also has a strong PR/management/sales/marketing background.
As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer's CURE Foundation, Inc., Ms. Lascarides will dedicate her energies to making this Foundation a success. Her goal is to reach the $20 million cash prize incentive as quickly as possible, so that the Alzheimer’s CURE Foundation, Inc. will serve as a catalyst that will spur medical research into exciting new heights and at a level never before dreamed of.
Effie Marie Lascarides, Founder of the Alzheimer's CURE Foundation, Inc., has entered a 5-year contract with the Foundation. She holds the position of Chief Executive Officer and is President of the Board of Directors and the spokeswoman for the Alzheimer's CURE Foundation representing the organization to the media and the public. She runs the organization and manages day to day activities and creates the organization’s programs. Her efforts are directed towards fundraising, supporting education that will benefit Alzheimer’s either through medicine/research or other fields and creating awareness to the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. Ms. Lascarides is also responsible for building relations with the medical and scientific community as well as making them aware of the prize and, when possible, participating at conferences for Alzheimer’s Disease. As the organization grows, Ms. Lascarides will also be responsible for the hiring and firing of any additional employees.
As well, Ms. Lascarides promotes the organization to the General Public, to the Corporate world and to the Board of Directors.
Effie Marie is motivated by her personal experience with Alzheimer's Disease. Her Dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1999 and she had vowed to commit herself in doing everything she possibly could so that a cure for Alzheimer’s was developed in his lifetime. In March 2005, she founded the Alzheimer’s CURE Foundation, hoping that her Dad would benefit from the cure. Unfortunately, this was not meant to be. Her beloved Dad, Peter Lascarides, lost his battle with Alzheimer’s on Oct. 2nd, 2008. Devastated by this loss, she is more passionate and dedicated than ever to keep his memory alive and to continue her efforts and commitment for the cure, so that other families will not suffer losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
