Visitors to Rockefeller Center to get unexpected lesson on Alzheimer’s disease throughout March

Mar 10 2010

Throughout the month of March, visitors to Rockefeller Center in the heart of midtown Manhattan will get an unexpected lesson on Alzheimer’s disease.

“In less than 50 years if nothing is done to find a successful treatment or the cure, one out of every five New Yorkers will either have Alzheimer’s disease or will be taking care of someone who does.”

Thanks to the generosity of EHE International, a recognized national leader in employee and individual Preventive Healthcare Plans (PHP), a 115-square foot exhibit containing important information about the disease and the free services offered by the New York City Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will be on view in the EHE display window at 10 Rockefeller Plaza until March 31^st.

This four-panel display features the Alzheimer’s Association “Celebrity Champions” video, a three minute photo montage showcasing celebrities who support the Alzheimer’s Association including David Hyde Pierce, Natalie Morales, NY Jets Coach Rex Ryan, Bryant Gumbel, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Peter Gallagher, Dominic Chianese, Wayne Brady, Dick Van Dyke, Olympia Dukakis, Jean Smart, Kate Burton, Lea Thompson and dozens of others.

Other display panels include important information about where to go for help, and startling statistics – including the fact that every 70 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease; by 2050, it will be every 33 seconds. While currently, there are 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer’s and more than 250,000 live in the five boroughs of New York City, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and all of these statistics are dramatically growing.

“The most important step that people can take is learning their risks factors for this debilitating disease. We are thrilled to offer The New York City Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association the window for the month of March,” stated Deborah McKeever, President of EHE International.

Lou-Ellen Barkan, President and CEO of the New York City Chapter, said, “In less than 50 years if nothing is done to find a successful treatment or the cure, one out of every five New Yorkers will either have Alzheimer’s disease or will be taking care of someone who does.

“We are very grateful to EHE International for their generosity in helping us raise crucial awareness about this impending Alzheimer’s healthcare crisis. Allowing us to display information about the free services that the New York City Chapter offers to New Yorkers with Alzheimer’s disease and to their caregivers helps ensure that all New Yorkers who pass by this display better understand the severity of this epidemic and know where to go for help,” Barkan added.

The New York City Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offers many resources for people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Among these are:

• Caregiver support groups and educational meetings;
• Special early stage services for those in the early stage of Alzheimer’s and dementia and their loved ones;
• A 24-hour Helpline for anyone in need of services regarding dementia;
• The MedicAlert® + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return® program is a nationwide wanderer's safety program that assists in the safe and timely return of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias who wander and become lost; and
• Opportunities to get involved including fun and exciting fundraising events throughout the year to support their services and fund research to find a cure.

SOURCE Alzheimer’s Association, NYC Chapter