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Alzheimer's Foundation Announces 'Quilt to Remember'
Dec. 16, 2005 - In the spirit of the holiday
season, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) today unveiled its
plans to bring comfort and hope to Americans with the creation of a
national quilt to remember those affected by Alzheimer's disease and
related illnesses. The program is patterned after the world famous AIDS
Memorial Quilt, which began in 1987.
The "AFA Quilt to Remember" is the first-ever
national dementia-related quilt that will be grand in scale and expand
in size with ongoing contributions for years to come. The
thought-provoking quilt will be composed of large panels contributed by
both individuals and organizations. It will be displayed in cities
across the country, beginning next fall.
"The AFA Quilt to Remember will be brought to the
heart of America. Piece by piece, it will help our nation recognize the
reality and the enormity of this disease, and affirm that we stand
united for optimal care and a cure," said Eric J. Hall, AFA's chief
executive officer.
"Our desire is for the quilt to bring comfort and
hope during the holiday season and throughout the year to families
affected by this heartbreaking brain disorder," Hall added.
Each panel will be uniquely designed to memorialize
individuals who have either passed from or are living with dementia, and
honor family caregivers and other family members as well as healthcare
professionals committed to the cause.
The AFA Quilt to Remember will consist of large
patches and will continuously be added to over time. Panels contributed
by individuals will be four feet by four feet and those produced by
organizations will be eight feet by eight feet.
These characteristics "mirror the epidemic
proportion of the disease and its ever-increasing impact on more and
more Americans," Hall said.
Currently, an estimated five million Americans have
Alzheimer's disease, including one in ten aged 65 and older and nearly
one in two aged 85 and older. The incidence is expected to triple by
mid-century.
AFA has been at the forefront of several national
initiatives, including its groundbreaking annual National Memory
Screening Day, to focus attention on Alzheimer's disease and related
illnesses, and the multitude of care issues faced by families each day.
"The quilt reflects another compelling way for AFA
to bring the nation together for care," Hall said.
AFA is currently accepting contributions for the
AFA Quilt to Remember. For more information, including contribution
instructions, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484.
AFA is a New York-based national nonprofit
organization that focuses on "together for care ... in addition to cure"
for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and
their families. It unites hundreds of member organizations across North
America that provide hands-on support services. At a national level,
AFA's services include a toll-free hotline, educational materials, a
free magazine for caregivers, and training for healthcare professionals.
Source: Alzheimer's Foundation of America
For more information on AFA, call (toll-free)
866-AFA-8484 or visit
http://www.alzfdn.org/.
Website for the AIDS Memorial Quilt -
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