A widely overlooked cause is finally getting its day. This September 21 is World Alzheimer’s day.  Alzheimer’s associations around the world are putting together a united front to encourage the public to become more educated on the subject of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related diseases. The day is an opportunity to not only take the time to think of the estimated 5.3 million in this country that suffer from Alzheimer’s but also to donate to the cause. These donations fund research, help families and patients affected by the disease, and fund events to raise awareness.

Throughout the Fall season, all over the country, Memory walks are being held to call attention to and raise funds for Alzheimer’s. Anyone can sign up to join, donate, or volunteer for the walk on the Alzheimer’s Association website www.alz.org . Katie Amann, Special Events Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Southfield branch, says, “Throughout the 10 Michigan chapters alone, we’ve had a record breaking 47,000 sign up to volunteer and participate.” She explains that, “All the funds [raised] stay in Michigan to fund education and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.” Money also goes to providing services for families of Alzheimer’s sufferers, such as day care, training for caregivers, and support groups. “In these economic times funds and grants that our communities and services rely on are lost,” says Amann, “that is why it’s so important to get involved.”

Alzheimer’s is a disease consisting of the slow deterioration of the brain leading to loss of memory and the inability to care for one’s self. Patients may experience personality and behavior changes and may fail to recognize things and people once familiar to them. While there are treatments for the symptoms and to potentially slow down the progress of the disease, there is no known cure yet and it is still unclear what causes it.

Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that affects millions yet is consistently overshadowed by other just as relevant sicknesses. Many may not know that it is the 6^th leading cause of death. That number will only grow in the coming years as the population of the elderly, it’s leading victims, increases.

Amann feels that Alzheimer’s is an important cause because, “…every 71 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in this country; and it doesn’t just affect the elderly.” While it is widely thought of in this way, Alzheimer’s is not just a health risk for the elderly. Early-onset Alzheimer’s can strike people in as young as their thirties and accounts for around 200,000 of Alzheimer’s sufferers. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is said to be 100 percent genetic.

What are your risks? First of all, the disease affects both men and women though women have a higher risk. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, Latinos, “have higher rates of vascular disease, so they may also be at greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s.” Only 5% of Alzheimer’s cases can be attributed to genetics the rest are still a mystery.

For more information on anything you’ve read, visit alz.org.

Author: Crissy Zamarron