Alzheimer's Foundation of America to Host
Online Puzzle Competition
Renowned Puzzle Master Lends His Expertise
to the Cause
NEW
YORK, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA)
is calling on crossword buffs, novices up
for a challenge and others in between to
participate in its inaugural National Brain
Game Challenge, an online game of skill
created by one of the nation's most admired
puzzle masters.
For the National Brain Game Challenge, Merl
Reagle, whose popular Sunday crossword is
syndicated in 50 newspapers across the
country, has crafted a series of
challenging, fresh-themed puzzles that lead
to a single solution.
Players pay a $25 registration fee, which
will give them online access to the puzzles
on September 25 at exactly 3 p.m. ET. The
contest ends September 27, and AFA will
announce the winners the following day. Up
for grabs: a $5,000 grand prize and other
prizes. To register and for more
information, visit www.alzfdn.org.
The educational and fundraising event is
aimed at boosting awareness of lifestyle
choices that promote brain health; alerting
the public about AFA as a resource for
support services and information about
memory concerns, successful aging and
caregiving; and raising funds for AFA's
programs and services nationwide.
It stems from research that suggests that
regular mental workouts may help reduce the
risk of Alzheimer's disease—an incurable
brain disorder that is increasing in
incidence nationwide and primarily affects
the older population.
"The human brain thrives within an enriched
environment filled with novel and complex
stimuli. Mental stimulation in the form of
crossword puzzles, language development,
travel, visits to the museum, etc. has been
found to enhance the health of the brain
through the development of 'brain reserve,'"
said Paul Nussbaum, Ph.D., chairman of AFA's
Prevention Advisory Board and a brain health
expert whose latest book is entitled "Save
Your Brain."
Reagle and his wife, Marie Haley, of Tampa,
FL have a personal interest in the cause,
having been caregivers for "1,000 days" for
Marie's mother, who had Alzheimer's disease.
"Alzheimer's disease is devastating to the
people who have it, but it's especially
tough on family caregivers, who are
perennially overworked and underfunded.
After seeing its impact close up, I've
always wanted to do my share to benefit the
cause directly, and I thank AFA for giving
me that chance," said Reagle, who co-starred
in the hit documentary "Wordplay" and has
been a character, playing himself, on "The
Simpsons."
Registration for the National Brain Game
Challenge began August 7, which coincides
with the birthday of Marie's mother.
Eric J. Hall, AFA's president and CEO, said
this event highlights "the increasing
reality of Alzheimer's disease and the
importance of adapting healthy lifestyles
that may mitigate its wrath."
"With the National Brain Game Challenge, we
hope to replace fear with fun, and send the
message that it's never too early or too
late to embrace brain health," he said.
Under the rules of the National Brain Game
Challenge, players must electronically
submit their solutions to each puzzle plus a
final answer to AFA. AFA will determine the
grand prize winner, runners-up and
additional winners based on accuracy and
speed. Besides the $5,000 grand prize, AFA
will award a$1,000 second prize; $500 third
prize, and more than a dozen $100 prizes to
a specific sequence of winners, including
the 5,000th person with the correct
response.
The contest is open to individuals aged 18
and older, except any finalist or winner in
the A and B Division playoffs of the
American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and/or
any person who ever constructed a playoff
puzzle for the American Crossword Puzzle
Tournament, as well as AFA employees and
their immediate families.
Complementing this online challenge, in a
pilot program initiated by AFA, various AFA
member organizations around the country will
be hosting their own Brain Game Challenge
events in their communities from September
10 to 24. In general, each local event will
involve visual puzzles, math challenges and
memory games that can be played by
participants of all ages, abilities and
interests simultaneously.
Currently, Alzheimer's disease, which
results in loss of memory and other
intellectual functions, affects as many as
5.1 million Americans and is the sixth
leading cause of death in the United States.
Advanced age is the greatest known risk
factor.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, based
in New York, is a national nonprofit
organization that unites more than 1,600
member organizations nationwide with the
goal of providing optimal care and services
to individuals confronting dementia, and to
their caregivers and families. Its services
include counseling and referrals by licensed
social workers via a toll-free hot line,
e-mail, Skype, and live chat; educational
materials; a free quarterly magazine for
caregivers; and professional training. For
more information about AFA, call
toll-free 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.
For specific information about successful
aging, visit www.alzprevention.org.
SOURCE Alzheimer's Foundation of America
