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Alzheimer's
Foundation of America 'Together for Care'
Telethon to include leading celebrities
November 15,
2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- In tribute to their own loved ones or
other individuals affected by Alzheimer's
disease, leading celebrities will unite
around this looming health crisis by
participating in the Alzheimer's
Foundation of America (AFA)'s "Together for
Care" telethon on
December 4.
Al Roker of
the "Today" show will serve as host, and
actor Hector
Elizondo,
AFA's honorary celebrity chairman, will help
to educate the public about the disease that
took his mother's life.
Performances will include the ladies of Wilson
Phillips,
who recently reunited to record their
first-ever holiday CD, "Christmas in
Harmony." Mixing brand new and classic, the
vocal trio will usher in the holidays with a
song from their latest album, as well as
perform "Hold On," the harmony-rich hit from
their first album that sounds a symbolic
message for the telethon.
Among other performers, country music artist Brett
Eldredge will
bring home the reality of Alzheimer's
disease when he sings his new single
"Raymond"—with heartfelt lyrics inspired by
his own grandmother's memory loss.
Also lending their support will be Scott
Adsit, Grizz
Chapman and Katrina
Bowden of
the NBC sitcom "30 Rock," "Today" show
co-anchor Natalie
Morales and
nutrition contributor Joy
Bauer,
talk show hostWendy
Williams,
actor Steve
Guttenberg,
and actress and singer Nikki
Blonsky.
Additional celebrities will be announced
shortly.
The show is designed to entertain and
educate viewers, heighten awareness of the
urgency of care and cure, and raise funds to
meet the needs of the growing number of
people with the brain disorder, especially
as the first wave of baby boomers turn 65
next year. It will air in 16 major markets
on NBC and be telecast online on AFA's Web
site for national viewing.
The telethon will provide insight from
experts into the current state of
Alzheimer's disease, and shed light on the
daily challenges faced by families impacted
by the disease.
"Alzheimer's disease is hitting home more
and more each day, and with each case, the
need for resources becomes that much more
urgent," said Eric
J. Hall,
AFA's president and CEO. "We must motivate
the nation to pay attention and to pitch in.
This healthcare crisis must be a national
priority."
In addition to watching the telethon, AFA is
encouraging the public to get involved by
sharing tributes to loved ones on AFA's
Facebook discussion page, and initiating
community and corporate fundraising
projects. AFA has also unveiled a line of
telethon-related products available on its
e-Store atwww.alzfdn.org;
among them, a T-shirt that spreads the
message, "I Care."
For more details about the telethon,
including air times, visit www.alzfdn.org or
call 866-232-8484. Eisai Inc., a human
health care company, is the telethon's
platinum sponsor. The show is being produced
by Al Roker Entertainment.
With an estimated 5.1 million Americans
diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the
telethon comes as the nation braces for an
escalating incidence of the brain disorder
due largely to the aging population.
Advanced age is the greatest known risk
factor. The disease results in loss of
memory and other intellectual function, and
is now the sixth leading cause of death in the
United States.
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is a
national nonprofit organization
headquartered in New
Yorkwhose
mission is to provide optimal care and
services to individuals with dementia, and
their families. It unites more than 1,400
member organizations that provide hands-on
programs to meet the educational, emotional
and practical needs of families in their
local communities. AFA's services include a
toll-free hot line, counseling, educational
materials, a free caregiver magazine, and
professional training. For information, call 866-AFA-8484
or visit www.alzfdn.org.
SOURCE Alzheimer's Foundation of America
