Phyllis George to be spokesperson for program helping Alzheimer's Patients to Staying Indpendent as long as possible

Campaign rallies those affected by Alzheimer's Disease to pursue their independence longer

Former Miss America Phyllis George Launches 'Declaration for Independence' to Unite Patients, Caregivers, Friends and Family

Miss America 1971, Phyllis George, best known for her work on CBS as the first female sportscaster on a national pre-game NFL show, announced that she will launch a national Alzheimer's disease (AD) campaign called "The Declaration for Independence" to rally AD patients to unite and declare their desire to live independently for as long as possible. This campaign is being supported by Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc, who co-promote ARICEPT(R) (donepezil HCl tablets).

The "Declaration for Independence" is a campaign that was created to empower individuals affected by AD to seek to maintain their independence for as long as possible, so they can keep doing everyday activities on their own. The campaign was launched to encourage those living with AD to do all they can to live with independence, dignity and grace.

The Alzheimer's Association, the premier source of information and support for the 4 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease, supports the launch of this campaign and its message for those living with Alzheimer's disease.

"The launch of the 'Declaration for Independence' campaign marks an important step towards universal support for the Alzheimer's disease community," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "Advocacy and community involvement are critical to help those affected by Alzheimer's to maintain their independence. We are proud to be a part of this event and invite other groups who support the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer's to join this effort."

Inspired by their personal experiences with AD, Phyllis George, along with noted TV and radio personality Leeza Gibbons, are officially kicking off the "Declaration for Independence" campaign.

Ms. George and Ms. Gibbons will speak to an audience of patients, caregivers, and their advocates about the importance of disease education and awareness and will share their stories of how AD has impacted their lives. Following the launch, Ms. George will appear at a series of local events in five cities across the United States.

"Having experienced the effects of this devastating disease with a loved one, I know how important it is for those affected by AD to maintain independence for as long as possible and remain in their communities," said Ms. George. "Through this campaign, I hope to inspire others to take action when they suspect a memory problem and encourage independence for those living with Alzheimer's disease as well as those caring for them. If we had only known, my mother's last years might have been different."

As part of the campaign, Ms. George will unveil a "Declaration for Independence" banner and icon, which will be on display in Washington, D.C. at the Stephen Decatur House Museum. The banner will be available for those affected by AD to unite in their pursuit of independence by signing the Declaration and pledging to adopt the principles of living with independence, dignity and grace: seeking early diagnosis, staying on treatment, and gaining support from the Alzheimer's community. Ms. George, Ms. Gibbons and the Alzheimer's Association will be among the first signatories for the Declaration. The Declaration will then travel to cities around the country for the public to sign and pledge their support for the Alzheimer's community. In addition to the Declaration, Ms. George will introduce the Independence pin, which she will wear to illustrate her support for the AD community. The pin represents the ongoing connection to home, family, and community that people affected by AD are seeking. To show your support for AD by ordering the Independence pin or for more information about the disease, please call 1-800-451-7480.

"It is important for those affected by AD to know that early diagnosis and treatment are ways to slow decline and help patients continue doing everyday activities for a longer period of time," said Dr. Bennett Leifer, internist and geriatrician, Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, New Jersey, and clinical instructor, Department of Geriatrics & Adult Development, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City. "Research shows that if patients begin treatment in the early stages of the disease and remain on therapy, they will benefit by maintaining their independence longer. In a recently published study, patients who took the cholinesterase inhibitor donepezil, known as ARICEPT(R), for at least nine months were able to delay nursing home care by almost two years, allowing them to stay with their families and remain in their communities longer."*

About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health concern that affects more than 4 million Americans. According to the Alzheimer's Association, that number is expected to swell to 14 million by the year 2050. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the U.S., characterized by a gradual loss of memory and thinking that hinders a person's ability to perform daily tasks such as speaking, dressing, and sitting up.

There are several risk factors that can lead to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, including age. In fact, approximately one in ten persons aged 65 and older suffers from Alzheimer's disease. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are treatments like ARICEPT(R) available to slow the progression of disease symptoms.