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COLUMN:
Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Stamp Now Available
Fri, October 17th, 2008

Alzheimer's Association Teams With U.S. Postal Service to Educate Public


SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Oct. 17, 2008) - According to the Alzheimer's Association's
2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, currently more than 5
million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. In Central New York alone,
there are currently more than 43,800 living with Alzheimer's. To bring
attention to this escalating epidemic, the United States Postal Service and
the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter are joining forces to
use the launch of the new stamp to raise awareness about Alzheimer's, now
the sixth leading cause of death in America.



"With an aging baby boomer population, this degenerative brain disease will
continue to touch more and more lives," Catherine J. James, chief executive
officer of the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter, said.
"More funding for research and more supportive services for those living
with Alzheimer's disease begins with greater overall public awareness and
this stamp is a tremendous step in that education effort."



Alzheimer's doesn't just impact the individual; it impacts entire families.
Today in America, there are approximately 10 million people caring for
someone with Alzheimer's or another dementia.  Seventy percent of people
with Alzheimer's disease live at home where family and friends take care of
them. In New York State, that translates to 643,151 caregivers providing
more than 555.1 million hours of unpaid care valued at $5.87 billion.



The stamp was unveiled today at press conferences in Endicott, Syracuse and
Utica.

"We applaud the Postal Service's long history of highlighting public health
issues. Including Alzheimer's disease in this tradition will help to spark a
national dialogue about how we as a nation deal with this public health
threat," James said.



Researchers continue to look for new treatments to slow or stop the
progression of Alzheimer's disease. These new therapies, when they are
developed, will be most effective when taken as early in the course of the
disease as possible making it even more urgent for effective early detection
of Alzheimer's disease. Early diagnosis improves care and treatment options
for individuals by empowering them to participate more fully in their lives.
It offers individuals more time to make choices to maximize the quality of
life, build the right medical team, and gain earlier access to existing
medications, programs and services. The Alzheimer's Association list 10
warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:



.          Memory loss

.          Difficulty performing familiar tasks

.          Problems with language

.          Disorientation to time and place

.          Poor or decreased judgment

.          Problems with abstract thinking

.          Misplacing things

.          Changes in mood or behavior

.          Changes in personality

.          Loss of initiative



The need for education, information, and supportive services for those with
Alzheimer's disease is paramount. Fortunately, the Alzheimer's Association
provides a wealth of resources to assist those who have been touched by the
disease, including a 24/7 Helpline, local information for referrals, care
consultations, public education events and support groups. For more, visit
www.alzcny.org. For more information on the Alzheimer Awareness 42-cent
commemorative stamp which is available for purchase beginning today, visit
the www.usps.com.




Main offices:
5910 Firestone Drive Syracuse, New York 13206
Phone, Fax and Email:
(315) 434-1988 (315) 434-8883 jmartell@cnylink.com