World Focuses On Alzheimer's

CHICAGO, IL - Sunday, September 21, 2008 - In honor of World Alzheimer's Day, Sunday, September 21st, the Alzheimer's Association is asking people across the globe to turn their attention to this disease and visit http://www.actionalz.org  to learn more and make a donation to support research and care service programs for those touched by the disease in the United States. For every dollar donated, the Alzheimer's Association's national board of directors will match it dollar-for-dollar, up to $250,000.

"The number of people affected by Alzheimer's is growing at an alarming rate, and the increasing financial and personal costs will have a devastating effect on the world's economies, healthcare systems and families," said Gerry Sampson, development chair of the Alzheimer's Association National Board of Directors. "We must make the fight against Alzheimer's a global priority. It's up to every one of us to learn more about the disease and join the fight."

Currently there are more than 26 million people across the world living with Alzheimer's and that number will quadruple by 2050. This means by mid-century more than 100 million people will be living with this degenerative disease that kills brain cells and eventually the person with the disease.

Did You Know?

• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
• 10 million American baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's.
• There are approximately 5.2 million Americans living with Alzheimer's today and that number is expected to increase to as many as 16 million by 2050.
• One out of eight people age 65 and older have Alzheimer's and nearly one out of every two over age 85 has it.
• Every 71 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease; by mid-century someone will develop Alzheimer's every 33 seconds.
• Odds are you know or are caring for someone with Alzheimer's. There are almost 10 million caregivers in the US.
• Initial symptoms include memory loss but as the disease progresses and kills more of the brain, the brain is unable to tell the body how to move, swallow or breathe.
• The plaques and tangles associated with the disease act as weeds that literally choke the healthy brain tissue causing it to die; Alzheimer's brains actually shrink due to cell loss.

The Alzheimer's Association's commitment to raising awareness and funds on World Alzheimer's Day is part of an accelerating worldwide effort to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, or prevent it from developing, and fund programs and services for those touched by the disease, and fund programs and services for those touched by the disease.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit http://www.alz.org .