Caregiver, Single Mother, Two-Time Breast Cancer Fighter Wins National Contest To Attend Joan Lunden's Camp Reveille

SEATTLE, July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A Place for Mom® (APFM), the nation's largest senior living referral service, today announced Dawn McGee-Jackson of Brooklyn Park, MN as the winner of its annual Caregiver Getaway contest, which recognizes female caregivers across the country. As the winner she receives airfare and fully paid tuition for herself and a friend to attend Camp Reveille, Joan Lunden's unique summer camp for women located in Naples, Maine.

This year's "Give Back Getaway" contest was open to caregiver staff working at the nearly 20,000 senior living communities partnered with A Place for Mom. The company received hundreds of entries, many of which were nominations for others, including the entry for Dawn McGee-Jackson, a resident associate at Brookdale Minnetonka, an assisted living community in Minnetonka, MN. Ms. McGee-Jackson was unknowingly nominated by her manager.

"I can't think of another person more deserving of a rest and recharge weekend. Even as she's fighting breast cancer for the second time and raising teenage daughters on her own, Dawn brings her kind heart, calming energy and positive attitude to work every day. She's an inspiration to our residents and her coworkers," said Tamra Lerum, health and wellness director at Brookdale Minnetonka. "Dawn has personally inspired me to grow as a leader by recognizing the influence we have on others. She's shown by example that although there are struggles in life, it is how you handle the present day that most affects the lives of those around you."

As the nation's population ages, the need for senior living options and caregivers is escalating rapidly. The Give Back Getaway contest is meant to award a caregiver's hard work with a vacation of relaxation and rejuvenation, and the chance to feel like a kid again.

"It takes a special person with a big heart to have a career focused on attending to the needs of others. I know from experience that caregivers who work at senior living communities are often unsung heroes who consistently go above and beyond their day-to-day responsibilities to ensure our aging loved ones are well cared for, safe and respected," said Joan Lunden, family caregiving advocate, award-winning journalist and longest running host of Good Morning America. "The nomination for Dawn spoke to these attributes, as well as the many other ways she inspires others with her positive approach to life and its challenges. I'm so proud to be associated with this contest and to be able to offer Dawn the opportunity to take a break from work to relax and enjoy all that Camp Reveille has to offer."  

Camp Reveille was started by Joan Lunden to offer multi-tasking women a way to find balance, motivation and inspiration. A longtime health and wellness advocate, Joan Lunden has partnered with A Place for Mom since January, 2012, to help families navigate the complex process of finding appropriate senior housing and care options for aging loved ones.

The contest award includes four days and three nights for two people at Camp Reveille, along with airfare and ground transportation to camp. The winner will be asked to document their camp experience on the A Place for Mom blog.

About A Place for Mom
A Place for Mom, Inc. (APFM) is the United States' largest senior living referral service with 300 senior living advisors providing resources and personalized assistance in finding senior living services. Using its nationwide network of nearly 20,000 providers, APFM helps families find options based on a loved one's stated needs, preferences and budget. This may include independent senior housing, home care, residential care homes, assisted living communities and specialized Alzheimer's memory care. The service is offered at no charge to families as providers pay a fee to APFM. For more information, visit www.aplaceformom.com, call 1-877-311-6099 or visit one of APFM's social networks at Twitter, Facebook, Google +, Senior Living Blog and Pinterest.

SOURCE A Place for Mom, Inc.

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