Also on the program is Rona Altschuler, who heads the Peninsula Walk to End Alzheimer's, one of five benefit walks the Alzheimer's Association will stage between mid-September and late October. The Peninsula walk has seen substantial growth in recent years, going from 300 walkers in 2007 to more than 900 last year.
The walks are designed to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association, but Rona and Gino say more importantly, they help educate the public about the disease and its effects on patients and their caregivers. Currently there are an estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer's, but with an aging population of Baby Boomers, that number is projected to jump to over 16 million in the next 40 years.
The local Alzheimer's Association chapter is also participating in the National Alzheimer's Project Act, or NAPA. From the group's website: "The National Alzheimer's Project Act will create a coordinated national plan to overcome the Alzheimer crisis and will ensure the coordination and evaluation of all national efforts in Alzheimer research, clinical care, institutional, and home- and community-based programs and their outcomes."
The Alzheimer's Association is hosting two "Listening Sessions" to get input from Alzheimer's families. The first will be August 30th at the chapter's main office and the second will be September 1st in Williamsburg.
Follow the links below to join a Walk to End Alzheimer's, participate in an input session, or learn more about the Alzheimer's Association.
Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern Virginia homepage: alz.org/seva
Walk to End Alzheimer's Main Page: alz.org/walk
Alzheimer's Input Sessions: alz.org/seva/in_my_community_18505.asp
Hampton Roads Topics airs Sunday's at 6am on these MAX Media stations: 92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, 97.3 The Eagle and Star 1310.
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