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Media
Release
For
immediate release
Feb. 10, 2004
For
more information:
Stacey Johnson, Alzheimer Society of Canada, (416)488-8772, ext. 240, 1-800-616-8816, pr@alzheimer.ca
Alzheimer
Society Coffee Break Surpasses $1 Million Goal --
Money raised to help people with Alzheimer's disease in local
communities
Thanks
to the generosity of Canadians and the hard work of volunteers,
the Alzheimer Society Coffee Break™, a nationwide
fund raising event that takes place in communities across
Canada, surpassed its goal of $1 million. Approximately
9,000 Coffee Break events took place across Canada in
September 2003, raising more than $1,022,000 -- a 9%
increase from 2002. The local Alzheimer Societies that
provide support services to people with the disease and
families across Canada are the beneficiaries of the funds
raised through Coffee Break. The more than $1 million
raised in the community, stays in the community.
"More
than 52 per cent of people across Canada are touched
by Alzheimer's disease in some way and we are very grateful
for the continued and increasing support from Canadians," says
Steve Rudin, executive director of the Alzheimer Society
of Canada. "We believe that Coffee Break will continue
to grow, and raise even more money for those who need
our services."
An
estimated 364,000 Canadians, or 1 in 13 people over 65,
have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease
that currently has no known cause or cure. With the aging
of the baby boom generation, it is estimated that more
than 3/4 million Canadians will develop Alzheimer's disease
or a related dementia by the year 2031 if a cure is not
found. Each year in Canada, approximately $5.5 billion
is spent on Canadians with Alzheimer's disease. This amount
is expected to increase dramatically as the population
ages.
The
Alzheimer Society thanks national patron Pfizer Canada
Inc., as well as in-kind sponsors Maxwell House, National
PharmaCom, Sweet'N Low, Sugar in the Raw, and supporters
Joey's Only Seafood Restaurants and National Car Rental.
The
Alzheimer Society is a not-for-profit health organization
dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer's disease.
The Society provides support and educational programs
for people with the disease, their families and caregivers,
and promotes public education. The Society also funds
research into finding the cause and cure for the disease
and into improved methods of caregiving. Please visit
www.alzheimer.ca for more information about the Society
and Alzheimer's disease.
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