Memory Ride for Alzheimer’s Marks 10th Anniversary Milestone

BOSTON, April 4 /PRNewswire/ — Memory Ride Inc. and the Alzheimer’s Association today announced the 10th anniversary of the Memory Ride for Alzheimer’s Research. In the ten years since its inception, the Memory Ride has raised more than one million dollars toward finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, a disease that afflicts more than 4.5 million Americans.

This year’s Memory Ride will take place July 15 – 16, 2006. The scenic 150-mile bike ride stretches across three New England states, beginning in Brattleboro, VT, crossing New Hampshire and ending at Artesani Park in Boston, Mass. New in 2006, riders have the option of a Sunday-only ride, joining the Memory Ride for the final leg in Fitchburg, Mass.

“For the initial Memory Ride, we had six riders, consisting of mostly family and friends,” says John Noonan, who founded the Memory Ride with other members of his family. “And last year, 150 riders from all over the country participated in what truly turned out to be a terrific event. This year marks our 10th Anniversary and we are still striving to promote awareness of Alzheimer’s as well as help fund research.” The Noonans started the Memory Ride after a long family history of three generations enduring the disease.

All proceeds are donated through the Memory Ride Grant and go directly to Alzheimer’s research. Each year, the grant is awarded to an outstanding individual or team working toward the treatment and prevention of the disease. The grant has helped the field of Alzheimer’s research, over the past ten years, continue to discover effective treatments, and come closer to finding a cure.

“It is estimated that over 140,000 Massachusetts residents are afflicted by Alzheimer’s and we’ve made great strides but there is still work to be done in order to find a cure,” said Jim Wessler, president and chief executive officer of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Massachusetts chapter. “As a result of the riders and crew members’ hard work and dedication, the Memory Ride Grant helps fund vital research.”

To register for Memory Ride, or to learn more about the Noonan family, please visit http://www.memoryride.org/ or call (508) 564-5700. For more information on the Alzheimer’s Association and its programs and services, please contact the Massachusetts Chapter online at http://www.alzmass.org/ or by phone (800) 272-3900.

About Memory Ride

Memory Ride is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research. Founded in 1997, Memory Ride was created by the Noonan Family whose members have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease in three successive generations. With the support of friends and colleagues also affected by Alzheimer’s, the Noonans personally funded the first ride. Six riders crossed Massachusetts and raised a total of $25,000(i). Memory Ride’s ultimate goal is to assist in finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. By raising awareness and funds for research, every member of the staff is committed to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease — by coordinating the Ride or by sharing personal stories.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association has over 80 chapters throughout the United States. The Massachusetts chapter, headquartered in Watertown, MA with regional offices in Springfield, Lowell, Worcester and Sandwich, is one of the oldest in the country(ii). The Alzheimer’s Association strives to increase understanding of the disease by funding research and helping professionals and family members provide better support.

In Massachusetts, the Alzheimer’s Association operates support groups, a 24 hour helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs. The Alzheimer’s Association promotes Memory Ride as part of its effort to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle as a potential way to reduce risk factors of Alzheimer’s.

   (i) Memory Ride, http://www.memoryride.org/    (ii) Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association,        http://www.alzmass.org/  

Memory Ride Inc.

CONTACT: Jill Klingler or Jill Friant for Memory Ride Inc.,+1-617-897-8200; or Julie Noonan Lawson of Memory Ride Inc.,+1-781-775-8352

Web site: http://www.memoryride.org/http://www.alzmass.org/