Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, May 17, 2001
Release # 157-01

Contact: Sunny Mindel/ Lynn Rasic
(212) 788-2958
  Martta Rose (for Alzheimer's Association NYC)
(212) 843-8020


MAYOR GIULIANI HOSTS KICK-OFF BREAKFAST FOR ALZHEIMER
ASSOCIATION'S MEMORY WALK 2001


Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today hosted a kickoff breakfast at Gracie Mansion for Memory Walk 2001, 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 Deputy Mayor for Operations Joseph P. Lhota; Department for the Aging Commissioner Herbert W. Stupp; and Irvine D. Flinn, co-president of the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Association's New York City Chapter.

"Currently, more than 200,000 people in New York City are living with Alzheimer's disease and the Alzheimer's Association New York City Chapter is on the front lines in the battle against this disease," Mayor Giuliani said. "Memory Walk will raise money critical for research and education about this disease. The Alzheimer's Association has already given more than $100 million in research grants, and is the leading private donor for Alzheimer's research. I encourage all New Yorkers to join in by putting on their walking shoes to support this important cause."

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and causes impaired memory and eventually leaves those afflicted unable to care for themselves. According to the Alzheimer's Association, one in every ten Americans over 65 has Alzheimer's disease, and one half of all Americans over 85 will suffer from it.

"We are honored today to have such a distinguished group of people at the Mayor's mansion gather together for such a worthy cause," Dr. Eugene Callender, President of Board of Directors, Alzheimer's Association-New York City Chapter said. "It is hard to meet anyone whose life has not been touched by Alzheimer's disease, whether the afflicted is a spouse, a relative or friend. Memory Walk serves to remind us that there is hope on the horizon in finding a cure, but it also serves to remind us that much more awareness needs to be raised. I extend my thanks to Mayor Giuliani for hosting this breakfast and I thank everyone in this room for attending."

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. For the past 13 years, Memory Walk has been an enjoyable event of walking, breakfast, lunch, and entertainment for more than 3000 walkers, including families and friends of those with the disease.

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 2001 is slated for Sunday, October 7 at South Street Seaport in Manhattan.


www.nyc.gov