The
Story is Changing Media
Kit
Jan.
3, 2005
Media
Release
For
immediate release
Jan. 3, 2005
For
more information:
Stacey Johnson, Alzheimer Society of Canada
(416)488-8772, ext. 244, pr@alzheimer.ca
Progress
Fuels Hope for Canadians Affected by Alzheimer's Disease
-- Alzheimer
Society's Annual Awareness Campaign
says "Story is Changing"
Almost 100 years ago, Alzheimer's disease
was identified. On the eve of this anniversary, Canadians
have reason for hope with indicators that significant progress
is being made to improve the lives of people affected by
this devastating disease.
"So much has changed in the history of the disease
that it feels today like we're beginning a new chapter
in the care and treatment of people with Alzheimer's disease," explains
Stephen Rudin, executive director of the Alzheimer Society
of Canada. "Thanks to earlier diagnosis and more
awareness of how to cope with the disease, Canadians can
live a more enjoyable and fulfilled life."
Advances
in the last 10 years include the following:
Earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease now regularly
takes place, giving those affected a better chance of
benefiting from treatment and support.
-
Treatments that ease symptoms and improve quality
of life are now available and promising new advances
are being tested.
-
Support groups across Canada for the person with the
disease have increased from eight to 85 in the last five
years.
-
People with the disease are more likely today to speak
publicly about their condition and direct their care.
-
New and updated programs, resources and information
to help caregivers, people with the disease and their
families are available online and through 140 local Alzheimer
Society offices.
-
There
has been a sizeable increase in the amount of money
allocated by the Alzheimer Society towards research
funding with $1 million in 1996 growing to almost $3.4
million this year.
-
Twenty-seven
years ago, Canada's Alzheimer Society was formed
and became the first organization of its kind in
the world. Today, there are Alzheimer associations
in countries around the globe helping people affected
by the disease and working towards finding a cure.
"The
climate for Alzheimer's disease has altered drastically
in the last decade," says Carl Parsons, president, Alzheimer
Society of Canada Board of Directors. "For example, the
Alzheimer Society has directors on its Boards with Alzheimer's disease – something that
would have been unheard of just a short time ago. There's
a whole new paradigm shift and it's very positive."
"Although there's a great deal of progress
to be celebrated, this isn't the time to relax. With
the first wave of baby boomers reaching 65 in 2011, this
disease is now an urgent research priority," says
Rudin.
The Society provides grants to Canadian researchers and
training support to young researchers to study biomedical
research into the cause and cure of Alzheimer's disease and
funds social and psychosocial research to find improved
methods of diagnosis, caregiving and service delivery.
"We are working hard on many fronts to solve the
riddle of this disease," says Dr. Jack Diamond, scientific
director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "To
date, we have gained understanding of the progress of the
disease and some of the risk factors involved, but we're
still searching for the cure or a way to prevent the disease.
Only with more research will we be able to reach our goal
of eradicating Alzheimer's disease so we can finally close
the book."
The 2005 Awareness Campaign was made possible through
the generosity of our partner sponsor Pfizer Canada Inc.,
program sponsor Manulife Financial and with support from
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., and Joey's Only Seafood
Restaurants, and in-kind sponsorship from Transcontinental
Media.
About the Alzheimer Society of Canada
Founded
27 years ago, the Alzheimer Society of Canada 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 Alzheimer's 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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