Alzheimer's Association Announces 2010 Awards

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Nov 15, 2010, 04:29 ET

Governor and Mrs. Patrick and other Champions Honored

WATERTOWN, Mass., Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Association announced today that Deval and Diane Patrick will be honored as Persons of the Year at its Annual Awards Celebration on December 8, 2010. Along with the first family, The Alzheimer's Association is honoring an "Unsung" Hero, researchers, and others.

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"The first family's commitment to the Alzheimer's cause has resulted in a Silver Alert program signed into law by the Governor earlier this year as well as the launch of an Alzheimer's State Plan Steering Committee," said James Wessler, President/CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter. "In addition, Mrs. Patrick served as honorary chair of the Greater Boston Memory Walk and has also attended the walk with her family team and taken the stage to speak about her own experience. When individuals of their stature and visibility step up to the make their voices heard, they bring the cause to a much more public forum."

An estimated 142,000 people in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have Alzheimer's disease, but approximately half are not diagnosed. According to the Alzheimer's Association, early diagnosis can help in terms of early medication intervention as well as support that can help individuals and families deal more effectively with the challenges of the disease. "November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, but we want people to be better informed every day of the year," Wessler said.

The Alzheimer's Association will honor:

Persons of the Year: The honorable Deval Patrick and First Lady Diane Patrick
Unsung Hero: Shirley Gordon, Manchester, New Hampshire, a family caregiver, advocate and volunteer
Myer Saxe Award for Fundraising: Victor Carvalho, Weymouth, MA; Eric Eskander, Brockton, MA; and Kevin Andrade, Manchester, NH – Dunkin' Donuts franchise owners who were instrumental in launching the Purple with a Purpose Dunkin' Donuts campaign for World Alzheimer's Day in eastern Mass and southern NH
Advocate of the Year: Bernice Osborne, Dorchester, MA, a family caregiver who campaigned on behalf of the Silver Alert legislation that became law earlier this year
Peter Murtha Inspiration Award: Janet and Willie Washington, Belmont, MA, a couple who have inspired others with their grace and commitment to face the challenges of Alzheimer's. Willie has early stage Alzheimer's
2010 Massachusetts Research Grant Awardees: Carmela R. Abraham, Ph.D., Boston University School of Medicine; Keith A. Johnson, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital; Tiffany Mellott, Ph.D., Boston University School of Medicine; Jie Shen, Ph.D., Brigham and Women's Hospital

The Alzheimer's Association 30th Annual Awards Celebration is free and open to the public. A.J. Burnett, of FOX25TV will be the guest moderator. For reservations, visit www.alz.org/MANH.

The Alzheimer's Association provides education and support for those dealing with Alzheimer's and is the leading non-profit funder of research into causes, cures and an eventual treatment for Alzheimer's. Offices are located in Watertown, Raynham, Springfield and Worcester, MA and Bedford and Lebanon, NH.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association