Dear Joseph,
Knowing your interest in Alzheimer’s disease and family caregivers, I wanted to share with you a recent update on The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.
To kick off 2011 –
The Year of the Family Caregiver – the Alzheimer’s
Immunotherapy Program of
Pfizer Inc. and
Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy today announced the addition of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), an organization that empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, as a supporter of
The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.
NFCA joins the campaign just as alpine mountaineer and
Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette successfully summitted Aconcagua in Argentina, his second climb of the 7 Summits. From the top of the summit, Alan dedicated his Aconcagua climb to family caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s (you can listen to his audio dispatch here:
http://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2011/01/29/audio-dispatch-from-aconcagua-5/).
As you may already know, Alan is seeking to climb the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each continent, in order to help raise awareness of the enormous financial and personal burden Alzheimer’s places on people with the disease, their family caregivers and society. With two summits completed in just a few months, Alan is well on his way to achieving his ambitious goal.
Alan was his mother’s caregiver during the time she lived with the disease and knows only too well that the burden of caring for these people often falls to family members and friends:
· In the U.S., an estimated 10.9 million unpaid caregivers see to the daily needs of people struck by Alzheimer’s
· In 2009, these caregivers provided about 12.5 billion hours of care
· Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming, and research shows that caregivers themselves are often at an increased risk for depression and illness
· In the U.S. the indirect and direct costs of caring for people with Alzheimer’s are estimated to be more than $ 100 billion a year
Alzheimer’s disease, the nation’s 6th most deadly disease, gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities like bathing and eating. Alan hopes to raise $1 million to go directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™, and now NFCA to advance Alzheimer’s research and provide support for family caregivers, respectively.
You can follow Alan’s journey and encourage people to donate to his cause by visiting
www.Climb4AD.com or
www.Facebook.com/Climb4AD. Additional information is included in the press statement below. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to speak with Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA, or with Alan.
Best,
Alana
Alana Rogers
Biosector 2
450 West 15th Street, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10011
P 212.845.5627
F 212.845.5650
*****************************************************
Below please find press statements issued on February 3, 2011 by Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. of the Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program about The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign.
National Family Caregivers Association Supports Advocate in His Mission to Raise Awareness of the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (February 3, 2011) – Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, together with its collaborator on the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program, Pfizer Inc., is pleased to announce the addition of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), an organization that empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, as a supporter of The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign. NFCA joins the campaign just as alpine mountaineer and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette successfully summitted Aconcagua in Argentina, his second climb of the 7 Summits. Through this campaign, Alan is seeking to climb the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each continent, in order to help raise awareness of the enormous financial and personal burden Alzheimer’s places on people with the disease, their family caregivers and society. In addition, he hopes to raise $1 million. The funds he raises will go directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™, and now NFCA to advance Alzheimer’s research and support for family caregivers, respectively. It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and approximately 10.9 million unpaid caregivers see to their daily needs.
“The NFCA’s participation in this campaign spotlights the vital and expanding role of the Alzheimer’s caregiver, which is why we are so glad they have joined this effort,” said Stef Heylen, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development for Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program. “Through their participation in the 7 Summits campaign, NFCA will be able to reach even more family caregivers, providing education, support and a public voice.”
Prior to Aconcagua, Alan summitted the first of the 7 Summits -- Mt.
Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica -- in December. Coming up in April, Alan is planning to summit
Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is funding Alan’s climbs so that all money he raises from donations will go directly to the organizations he has selected. You can track Alan’s progress or make a donation to one of his chosen charities by visiting
www.Climb4AD.com or
www.Facebook.com/Climb4AD.
“2011 marks the Year of the Caregiver, and as such, we are thrilled to join Alan in his efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the burden it places on family caregivers,” said Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA. “We applaud Alan for his commitment, perseverance and tireless advocating for the AD community.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with another person newly diagnosed every 70 seconds. The burden of caring for these patients often falls to family members. Last year, these family caregivers provided about 12.5 billion hours of unpaid care.
Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program
The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is an equal collaboration committed to researching and developing selective products for the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program believes that it is possible to reduce the burden of disease through early intervention in the illness. It is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and integrated solutions that help address the needs of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.
Its research focuses on the beta amyloid hypothesis. Scientific evidence supports the idea that preventing the accumulation and/or promoting the removal of beta-amyloid may have the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and help preserve function in people with the disease. This theory is being tested inclinical trials.
Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy
Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy is researching, developing and commercializing selective products for the treatment and/or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy is based in Dublin and has R&D facilities in South San Francisco.
National Family Caregivers Association
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) envisions an America in which family caregivers lead full and productive lives, free from depression, pain, isolation, and financial distress. NFCA provides family caregivers support, education, and a public voice.
Cure Alzheimer's Fund
The Cure Alzheimer's Fund is a non-profit public charity established to provide funding for targeted research into the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund exists exclusively to fund targeted research to hasten the slowing, stopping or reversing of Alzheimer’s disease.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ellen Rose
Office: 650-794-2546
Mobile: 650-491-4901
____________________________
National Family Caregivers Association Supports Advocate in His Mission to Raise Awareness of the Burden of Alzheimer’s Disease
NEW YORK (February 3, 2011) – Pfizer Inc., together with its collaborator on the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program, Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy, is pleased to announce the addition of the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA), an organization that empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, as a supporter of The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything campaign. NFCA joins the campaign just as alpine mountaineer and Alzheimer’s disease advocate Alan Arnette successfully summitted Aconcagua in Argentina, his second climb of the 7 Summits. Through this campaign, Alan is seeking to climb the 7 Summits, the highest peak on each continent, in order to help raise awareness of the enormous financial and personal burden Alzheimer’s places on people with the disease, their family caregivers and society. In addition, he hopes to raise $1 million. The funds he raises will go directly to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund™, and now NFCA to advance Alzheimer’s research and support for family caregivers, respectively. It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and approximately 10.9 million unpaid caregivers see to their daily needs.
“As the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s increases over the next few decades, so too will the burden of this devastating disease on family caregivers, which is why continued resources and support are essential,” said Gregory Rippon, MD, MS, Senior Director, Specialty Neuroscience, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Pfizer, on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Immunotherapy Program. “We are excited that NFCA has joined this effort, as their participation expands the reach of the 7 Summits campaign to focus on this critical audience.”
Prior to Aconcagua, Alan summitted the first of the 7 Summits -- Mt. Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica -- in December. Coming up in April, Alan is planning to summit Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world. The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is funding Alan’s climbs so that all money he raises from donations will go directly to the organizations he has selected. You can track Alan’s progress or make a donation to one of his chosen charities by visiting
www.Climb4AD.com or
www.Facebook.com/Climb4AD.
“2011 marks the Year of the Caregiver, and as such, we are thrilled to join Alan in his efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the burden it places on family caregivers,” said Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of NFCA. “We applaud Alan for his commitment, perseverance and tireless advocating for the AD community.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with another person newly diagnosed every 70 seconds. The burden of caring for these patients often falls to family members. Last year, these family caregivers provided about 12.5 billion hours of unpaid care.
Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program
The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program of Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy and Pfizer Inc. is an equal collaboration committed to researching and developing selective products for the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer's Immunotherapy Program believes that it is possible to reduce the burden of disease through early intervention in the illness. It is dedicated to delivering comprehensive and integrated solutions that help address the needs of people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.
Its research focuses on the beta amyloid hypothesis. Scientific evidence supports the idea that preventing the accumulation and/or promoting the removal of beta-amyloid may have the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and help preserve function in people with the disease. This theory is being tested in clinical trials.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health and well-being at every
stage of life. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified
global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products and many of the world’s best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the world’s leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable,
affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more about our commitments, please visit us at
www.pfizer.com.
National Family Caregivers Association
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) envisions an America in which family caregivers lead full and productive lives, free from depression, pain, isolation, and financial distress. NFCA provides family caregivers support, education, and a public voice.
Cure Alzheimer's Fund
The Cure Alzheimer's Fund is a non-profit public charity established to provide funding for targeted research into the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. The Cure Alzheimer’s Fund exists exclusively to fund targeted research to hasten the slowing, stopping or reversing of Alzheimer’s disease.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Victoria Davis
Global Media Relations
Office: 212-733-3227
Mobile: 347-558-3455
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