T
he bad news is that without preventive
medicine, the number of people diag-
nosed with Alzheimer’s Disease will
triple by the year 2050, to 16.5 million.
That’s because the baby boomer generation is
just now reaching the normal ages the devastat-
ing disease is diagnosed.
The good news is, many researchers believe
such preventive medicine, or at least a treatment
to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, will be
available by 2025.
It’s because of that belief that the Alzheimer’s
Association, including the Peoria chapter that
covers 20 counties in Illinois, is getting more ag-
gressive in its plan to raise money for research
while planning programs such as Train the
Brain to help stem the deterioration of the hu-
man brain.
The association also continues to do as much
as possible for the afflicted and their families
and caregivers, said Nikki Vulgaris-Rodri-
guez, executive director of the Central Illinois
Chapter, which this year is celebrating its 25th
anniversary.
“
Everyone knows what Alzheimer’s Disease
is. Most know what a wicked disease it is. But
there is still a need to increase the public’s
knowledge about it, including the strides made
in treatment and how we can help families of
those with the disease,” she said.
Talking about the Walk To End Alzheimer’s,
the association’s signature fundraising event,
Vulgaris-Rodriguez said, “It really is a move-
ment. There is a lot of education packed into the
event because we have to increase awareness.”
While September is World Alzheimer’s
Month, the association’s Central Illinois Chapter
sponsors eight Walk To End Alzheimer’s events
each year, all during August, September and
culminating in the Peoria walk the first Sunday
in October.
Three walks are on Saturday, Sept. 22, in
Pekin, Dixon and Galesburg, while the Macomb
event is Saturday, Sept. 15.
Friday, Sept. 21 is Alzheimer’s Action Day
and the public is asked to wear purple that day
because purple is the color of the Alzheimer’s
movement.
The association also plans fundraisers
throughout the year, events such as a pork chop
sandwich sale and a dance at a local winery.
“
We know people throughout the region are
becoming increasingly aware of our efforts. We
have to keep it up. There are a lot of not-for-
profit agencies that need help and we all have to
make ourselves known,” she said.
Angela Green, director of public relations
for the central Illinois chapter, said the Peoria
region, despite covering 20 counties and 880,000
people, is one of the smaller Alzheimer’s Asso-
ciation chapters in the country. “But we’ve had
a lot of successes,” she said.
Indeed, added Vulgaris-Rodriguez, the cen-
tral Illinois chapter has performed better than
chapters two or three times its size, according
to benchmarks set by the national association.
In the last fiscal year, which ended last month,
the local chapter had approximately 19 million
media impressions; its goal for the year was 3
million.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 40
NOT FOR PROFIT
ALZHEIMER’S
ASSOCIATION AIMS
TO PUT ITSELF OUT
OF BUSINESS
PAUL GORDON
THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION CENTRAL ILLINOIS CHAPTER
SELLS ORNAMENTS CREATED BY HIRAM TORAASON, SUCH AS
THE ONE PICTURED HERE, TO RAISE MONEY FOR ITS PROGRAMS.
39
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