The Alzheimer’s Association, families affected by Alzheimer’s, celebrity advocates, businesses, Governor Patrick, and mayors across the commonwealth, including Boston’s Mayor Menino, are stepping up to focus public attention on the rapidly growing health crisis of Alzheimer’s disease. Friday, September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day, an internationally recognized day that unites opinion leaders, people with dementia, their care-givers and family, medial professionals, researchers, and the media from around the world. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Massachusetts Chapter supports the day’s simple message — now is the time to act.
“More than five million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s, and that number is about to increase catastrophically,” said James Wessler, President/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association in Massachusetts.
On Friday, organizers and advocates will be at Quincy Market, City Hall Plaza, and the Boston Common from Noon to 2:00 p.m. dressed in purple tee-shirts and distributing information about Alzheimer’s disease and the Alzheimer’s Association. The tee-shirts will be emblazoned with the campaign slogan “VOICE,” which encourages people to speak up on behalf of individuals with Alzheimer’s who are not able to speak for themselves.
Events will also take place at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield from Noon — 1:00 p.m. Carl Beane, who serves as the public-address announcer for Boston Red Sox games at Fenway Park, will be at center court to give a free talk. Beane will speak about family memories, baseball memories, and how Alzheimer’s can destroy them. Helen Caulton-Harris, director of health and human services for the Springfield Department of Health will also take part in the program, conveying the World Alzheimer’s Day message. Employees at local participating businesses are being asked to wear purple.
Recently, Massachusetts-based celebrities including singer/actress Joanna “Jo Jo” Levesque, author/talk show host Keith Ablow, KISS 108’s Matt Siegel, WCVB’s Mary Richardson, Boston Bruin Marc Savard, Fox 25’s Kim Carrigan, Magic 106.7’s Nancy Quill, and many others lent their image to the cause by becoming Alzheimer’s Champions, urging people to take action against this disease.
Governor Deval Patrick has joined the following mayors throughout Massachusetts by signing proclamations in support of World Alzheimer’s Day:
Boston – Thomas M. Menino
Easthampton – Michael Tautznik
Fall River – Edward M. Lambert, Jr.
Greenfield – Christine Forgey
Lawrence – Michael J. Sullivan
Lowell – William F. Martin Jr.
Lynn – Mayor Edward J. Clancy, Jr.
New Bedford – Scott W. Lang
Pittsfield – James M. Ruberto
Springfield – Charles V. Ryan
Westfield – Charles Medeiros
Worcester – Konstantina B. Lukes
Researchers predict that by 2050 the global prevalence of the disease will quadruple, affecting more than 100 million individuals. If you don’t know someone with this mind-robbing disease, you soon will, said Wessler of the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Alzheimer’s has been tagged an old persons’ disease, and we’ve all heard the jokes about ‘old-timers’ disease, but the fact is that it’s a fatal disease, not normal aging. It is a devastating disease for those who have it and those who love them,” said Wessler.
It’s not too late for anyone who wants to get involved, Wessler said. It’s as simple as wearing purple on this Friday, and telling people why. Or get involved in one of the “Memory Walks” now happening across the commonwealth over the next two weekends. According to Wessler, national funding for Alzheimer’s research is losing ground in the important battle to find a treatments and an eventual cure. Information is available at www.alz.org/MA.
About The Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts Chapter
Headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association opened its doors in 1980 as one of the founding Chapters of the national association. Throughout the state of Massachusetts, we strive to offer a high level of programs and services to individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. To meet the increasing demands for service and support, the Massachusetts Chapter has expanded programs, and has added four regional offices around the state: Lowell, Sandwich, Springfield and Worcester. In 2007, the Chapter assumed responsibility for providing services to families and professionals living and working in New Hampshire. For more information visit alz.org/ma or call (617) 868.6718.
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