|
 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. |