Tracy Hayes has lived on Tierra Verde Island since 1997, long enough to know that neighbors here show up for one another. Over the years, she has turned that sense of community into meaningful action through her work with the Alzheimer’s Association, an organization that has become deeply personal to her.

Tracy first became involved in 2017, motivated by her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. At the time, Tracy was living in Florida while her family was based in Georgia. Her sister took on the role of primary caregiver, and Tracy watched from a distance as the disease changed not only her mother’s life, but her sister’s as well. That experience gave Tracy a firsthand understanding of how Alzheimer’s affects entire families, not just the person diagnosed.

Her advocacy became even more personal in 2024 when her husband, Tom Hayes, was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. By then, Tracy’s years of involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association had given her knowledge, resources, and trusted connections. Because of that, she was able to help Tom access the care he needed quickly. He is now receiving Leqembi infusions twice a month and is doing very well, currently without side effects. Tracy’s role shifted from advocate to primary care partner, deepening her commitment even further.

Today, Tracy volunteers an average of 10 to 15 hours each week. She serves as a National Board member of the Alzheimer’s Association and sits on the boards of the Gulfcoast Chapter in Tampa Bay and the Wyoming Chapter. She is also the co-founder of the Gulfcoast Chapter’s annual Gala and the founder of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Carbon County, Wyoming. Her work spans states and communities, but her heart remains firmly rooted in helping families feel supported and informed.

One of Tracy’s favorite moments each year is the Alzheimer’s Association “Inspire, Imagine & Hope” Gala. The fifth annual event will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026. Each year, the gala has exceeded its fundraising goals, thanks to the generosity of the Tampa Bay community. Tracy speaks often about how inspiring it is to see people come together with optimism and purpose.

She is also excited about promising research funded by the Alzheimer’s Association. The U.S. Pointer Study has shown that a lifestyle program focused on nutrition, physical activity, cognitive engagement, and health monitoring improved cognition in older adults at risk for cognitive decline. For Tracy, this research represents hope, progress, and the power of collective effort.

When she is not volunteering, Tracy enjoys supporting local businesses, dining at Tierra Verde restaurants with Tom, and treating herself to Tierra Verde Nail Studio, where she has been a client for more than 25 years. She also loves reading Stroll magazine to learn more about the neighbors who make Tierra Verde such a special place.

For Tracy Hayes, making a difference is about turning personal experience into positive action. Her story is a reminder that compassion, when paired with commitment, can ripple far beyond one family and strengthen an entire community.