Celebrity supports Alzheimer's Association

Sep 15 2009

National Football League (NFL) wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, Terrell Owens, will support the Alzheimer's Association this fall by having his own team for Memory Walk(R). Owens has created "TO's Champs" to raise funds and awareness for the as many as 5.3 million Americans living with the disease and their 10 million caregivers, according to the Alzheimer's Association 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.

Every 70 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease. That means more than 12 people will develop Alzheimer's in the time it takes Owens to play one 15-minute quarter of football.

Owens has been personally affected by this disease, as his grandmother Alice is living with Alzheimer's after being diagnosed in 1996, the year Owens entered the NFL. As a result, Owens is dedicated to learning more about the disease and supporting the Alzheimer's Association.

"Alzheimer's has affected my own family, so I understand first-hand the impact of this disease," says Owens. "I am proud to support the Alzheimer's Association as they educate people on the realities of Alzheimer's disease so we can inspire enough support to stop it."

Due to his commitments with the Buffalo Bills, Owens will not be able to attend Memory Walk events. However, he personally encourages fans to join "TO's Champs" and participate in Memory Walk or donate to his team.

• To register for Memory Walk with "TO's Champs," visit: http://ErieCountyWalk.kintera.org/toschamps.
• To make a donation to Memory Walk in support of Owens, visit: http://ErieCountyWalk.kintera.org/to

Donations made will support the Alzheimer's Association's mission to provide and enhance care and support for all affected by Alzheimer's and fund critically needed research.

Source: http://ErieCountyWalk.kintera.org