| Contact: | Sunny Mindel/Mary Lasher (212) 788-2958 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today delivered remarks at a Gracie Mansion kick-off breakfast for Memory Walk 2000, an annual event to raise public awareness and funds for the New York City Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
Also attending the breakfast were Department for the Aging Commissioner Herbert W. Stupp; Department of Health Commissioner Neal L. Cohen, M.D., and Irvine D. Flinn, co-president of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Association's New York City Chapter.
Mayor Giuliani said, "Currently, an estimated 160,000 people in New York City are living with Alzheimer's disease and this event is critical to the efforts to raise money to fight it. The Alzheimer's Association provides much-needed services for those living with the disease and to their families and caregivers. We encourage people to join in by putting on their walking shoes to support this important cause. Together we can find a cure."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease which attacks the brain and causes impaired memory and eventually leaves sufferers unable to care for themselves. According to the Alzheimer's Association, one in every 10 Americans over 65 has Alzheimer's disease and one half of all Americans over 85 will suffer from it.
Irvine D. Flinn, co-president of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer's Association said, "It is expected that the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease will increase from 4 million to 14 million by mid-century. However, we have the potential to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease - but we can't arrive at our destination without community support."
All proceeds of Memory Walk benefit the Alzheimer's Association's New York City Chapter which provides education; support groups for families, caregivers and early stage patients; funding for research; Safe Return, a program to locate missing Alzheimer's patients; and a 24 hour telephone help line. Last year 1,600 people participated, and almost $300,000 was raised through the event.
The Alzheimer's Association is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research into the prevention, treatment and cure of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, and to providing support, education and assistance to persons afflicted, their families and other caregivers.
Memory Walk will be held on September 17th at South Street Seaport in Manhattan. For more information on Memory Walk 2000 or the Alzheimer's Association, call 212-983-0700.