AARP Presents Pat Summitt With the 2012 Andrus Award

Legendary women's basketball coach to receive the organization's highest honor at The Newseum in Washington, D.C. on December 6

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AARP today announced that Pat Summitt has been selected as the recipient of the 2012 AARP Andrus Award. The Andrus Award, named after AARP founder Ethel Percy Andrus, is given in recognition of those who embody the organization's goal of bringing lifetimes of experience and leadership to serve all generations.

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Ms. Summitt, who in her 38-year coaching career led the University of Tennessee Lady Vols to more than 1,000 wins, retired at the end of the 2012 season after courageously announcing her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease. She currently serves as Head Coach Emeritus of the Lady Vols.

AARP selected Ms. Summitt as this year's Andrus Award recipient for the incredible work she has done through the Pat Summitt Foundation. The Foundation, which was formed in 2011, gives grants to nonprofits that perform cutting-edge research into the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease and provide support services to patients, their families, and their caregivers.

"The Andrus Award is presented only to those remarkable individuals whose efforts and achievements have effected enormous positive social change," said AARP CEO A. Barry Rand. "AARP is proud to pay tribute to Pat Summitt and her accomplishments.  We commend Ms. Summitt and her Foundation for their commitment to raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease and providing caregiving support for families. Ms. Summitt embodies the very spirit of service that is at the core of AARP's mission."

Past recipients of the Andrus Award include Maya Angelou, Tom Brokaw, Norman Lear and General Colin L. Powell. AARP will present the award to Ms. Summitt at a dinner held in her honor on Thursday, December 6^th at The Newseum in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit aarp.org.

About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for Americans 50+ and the world's largest-circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for the 50+ audience; www.aarp.org; AARP VIVA, a bilingual lifestyle multimedia platform addressing the interests and needs of Hispanic Americans; and national television and radio programming including My Generation and Inside E Street. The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

About The Pat Summitt Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, A Fund of East Tennessee Foundation, was established by Pat Summitt in November 2011.  Dedicated to winning the fight against Alzheimer's disease,  its  mission as a grant-making foundation is to advance research for prevention and a cure; to provide hope, care, and critical support for patients, caregivers and families; and to educate the public on the impacts of Alzheimer's disease and the urgent need for a cure. Pat Summitt, her family and friends have chosen East Tennessee Foundation to receive and manage contributions to Pat's Fund, and to facilitate their grant-making in support of the mission. To learn more about the Foundation visit the website at www.patsummitt.org

SOURCE AARP