Alzheimer's Foundation of America to Open NASDAQ to Mark National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and Upcoming 'Together for Care' Telethon

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its efforts to drive home the urgency of the Alzheimer's disease crisis, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) today will call on the public to rally around the need for care and cure as it rings the opening bell of NASDAQ.

Ringing the opening bell will be Bert Brodsky, AFA's chairman, and Eric J. Hall, AFA's president and CEO.

AFA's participation in the NASDAQ ceremony comes as the nation marks the start of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, observed each November, and as AFA gears up to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease in an unprecedented way: the national nonprofit organization will hold its inaugural "Together for Care" telethon on December 4.

"We must spread the message loud and clear that Alzheimer's disease is a health crisis of immense proportion," said Hall. "We no longer have the luxury of time. With the incidence of the disease escalating, families must be assured that our nation is striving to provide optimal care while searching for a cure."

Designed to both educate and engage the public, the telethon will air in 16 major markets on NBC and be telecast online on AFA's Web site for national viewing. Al Roker of the "Today" show, who will serve as host, and actor Hector Elizondo, AFA's honorary celebrity chairman, lead the show's celebrity lineup. For more information, visit www.alzfdn.org.

Currently, as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, which causes loss of memory and other intellectual function. Advanced age is the greatest known risk factor for the disease, with the incidence doubling every five years after age 65. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that unites more than 1,400 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a toll-free hot line, educational materials, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers and professional training. For more information about AFA, call toll-free 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Foundation of America

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