Media Contact:  Jill Center, Chapter Communications Director, 650-962-8111, Jill.Center@alz.org

NEWS RELEASE

GROWING URGENCY MOVES LARGEST ALZHEIMER’S EVENT

• Every 72 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s
• Alzheimer’s is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Currently more than 5 M Americans have Alzheimer’s – 10 M are Caregivers
• Likely 300% increase by 2050 if no cure

 (Greater San Francisco Bay Area) September 12, 2007 – Hundreds of Greater Bay Area residents are on the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s disease, forming teams for the annual Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk.  The event raises public awareness and funds for the local fight against Alzheimer’s.  In 2006 Memory Walks nationwide raised $30 million to help with care and support of those affected by the disease and research for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s.  The fundraising goal for the Greater Bay Area Memory Walk 2007 on Treasure Island is $1 Million, which would make it the largest in the nation.  Over 6,000 are expected to attend on October 6. 

WHEN:            Memory Walk 2007, Saturday, October 6, 2007

                        Registration: 8:00am; Opening Ceremony: 9:15am; Walk begins: 9:30am

WHERE:          Treasure Island, San Francisco

(Free shuttle starting at 7:00am from Embarcadero BART station on Market Street to Treasure Island (last shuttle departs Treasure Island at 1:00pm).  Plentiful onsite event parking will also be available.

HOW:              To start a team or make a donation, contact the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/norcal; or 1-800-272-3900)

REGISTER      FREE.  Participants are encouraged to fundraise and all those who raise $100 will receive a 2007 Memory Walk T-shirt.  There is a new incentive prizes program for those raising over $300.  Registration information – including how to form teams and easily set up team Web pages: www.alz.org/norcal, or 800-272-3900.

MOVE is the theme for this year’s Memory Walk.  Ericka Smith, Memory Walk chief for the Alzheimer’s Association chapter said: “We tell people: You may be one person, but you can move a nation.  Start a team today.  You invite three people, and they invite three people.  Before you know it, you have a team.”  She said, We’re asking thousands of Bay Area residents to please help move a nation to end Alzheimer’s.”

The scenic three-mile walk and 1.5-mile shortcut afford beautiful views of San Francisco, Oakland, Angel Island and the Bay.  Food, music and entertainment, plus a Family Pavilion with lots of children’s activities and a Remembrance Area displaying a Memory Wall, extraordinary art by Alzheimer’s patients from the Association’s “Memories in the Making” program and Tribute Flags to be flown to honor loved ones (suggested donation), and Alzheimer’s disease information and resources.  [Note to Editors: This is also Fleet Week and the Blue Angels will perform in the afternoon; many come for Memory Walk in the morning and stay for the Blue Angels in the afternoon.]

Walkers will be joined by CBS 5 Eyewitness News Sports Anchor Dennis O’Donnell– this year’s Master of Ceremonies, and Memory Walk 2007 co-chairs Peter Daly, Senior VP,ABD Insurance & Financial Services, and June Darmanian, Human Resources Consultant.  CBS 5 and CW Bay Area, Univision 14 and TeleFutura 66 are this year’s Memory Walk television sponsors.  The radio sponsor is KFOG-104.5 FM.

William Fisher, Alzheimer’s Association CEO for Northern California & Northern Nevada, said, “If Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder has touched someone, they need to come to Memory Walk to see what a national movement to defeat Alzheimer’s looks like.”

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease, about 220,000 in Northern California.  Without a cure by 2050, when baby boomers will be at greatest risk, there will likely be a 300% increase in cases.  The Alzheimer’s disease process likely begins ten to twenty years before symptoms emerge.  Finding a treatment that could delay onset by five years could reduce the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s by nearly 50 percent. 

The Alzheimer’s Association is America’s leading non-governmental provider of support and education for Alzheimer’s patients, families and healthcare providers.  Memory Walk is organized by the Alzheimer’s Association and by families and individuals touched by Alzheimer’s, to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association’s three-fold mission: To eliminate Alzheimer’s 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.  Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised approximately $225 million and is the largest national Alzheimer’s disease fundraising event. 

Memory Walk proceeds remain in the local community and are applied toward the growing need for Association services, including a 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900), free newsletter, support groups (caregivers and early stage individuals), information, education and training, online Helpline (www.alz.org/norcal), collaborative partnerships with diverse communities, advocacy and research.  The Alzheimer’s Association has awarded more than $200 million in peer-reviewed research grants since 1982 and is the largest private funder of Alzheimer research.  

Memory Walk is nationally presented with the support of Genworth Financial.  Elan Pharmaceuticals is the local Premier Memory Walk sponsor.   The Treasure Island Memory Walk Local Platinum Sponsors are: Rinat PGRD, California Pacific Medical Center, Concern: EAP, and H. James and Barbara Knuppe.  

All Northern California & Northern Nevada 2007 Memory Walks:

• Carson City,  September 29, State Capitol, Carson City
• Monterey Bay,  September 29, Seascape Resort and Park, Aptos
• Greater San Francisco Bay Area, October 6, Treasure Island, San Francisco
• Greater Sacramento Area, October 6, State Capitol (South Steps), Sacramento
• Wine Country, October 13, Spring Lake Village, Santa Rosa
• Chico,  October 13, Bidwell Park (One Mile BBQ Area), Chico
• Reno/Sparks,  October 13, Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno

All chapter Memory Walks can be accessed via www.alz.org/norcal and 800-272-3900.

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