Alzheimer's Foundation of America
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Congresswoman Maxine Waters Named Co-Chair of Alzheimer's Disease Task Force
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Congresswoman Maxine Waters
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Congresswoman Maxine Waters was recently named co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's disease. She succeeds Rep. Ed Markey, following his swearing in as senator from Massachusetts.
Congresswoman Waters will lead the caucus alongside its Republican co-chair, Congressman Chris Smith. The task force works to elevate awareness of Alzheimer's disease, reinforce the federal government's commitment to improving the lives of people affected by the disease, and assist caregivers.
Waters is also lead sponsor of the Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act and the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization Act.
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Down Syndrome 'Off Switch' Discovery May Open Doors to Treatments
Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School recently discovered a breakthrough that would effectively "turn off" the extra chromosome responsible for Down syndrome.
While further research is needed, scientists said this discovery could be the first step in developing chromosomal therapies that could help treat Down syndrome or other cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Calling All Teens: Enter the 2013 Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness Video Competition
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2013 winner Alex Klein (2nd from left) and his family
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AFA Teens, an award-winning division of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), is offering teens a vehicle to channel their creativity while helping to educate their peers and the public: the AFA Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness Video Competition.
The third annual contest asks teens, 13-19 years old, to create a two-minute video that illustrates a moment in which they learned something about their understanding of Alzheimer's disease or about caregiving, or decided to become a community volunteer/activist. The deadline for entries is December 1. Visit www.afateens.org for official contest rules and entry forms, or to learn more about AFA Teens.
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News to Use
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Alzheimer's Disease Virtual Education Series -
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, N.Y., is presenting "Advances in the Assessment and Management of Alzheimer's Disease," on August 27, as part of its free online continuing medical education program. The featured speaker is Norman Relkin, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical neurology and neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College. The conference, via live streaming video, takes place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET and will include real-time Q&A. Click here for more information and to register.
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News Updates
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Breastfeeding May Lower Alzheimer's Risk - A recent study of British women, aged 70-100, suggests that breastfeeding may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It found a significant correlation between longer breastfeeding history and lower risk of the disease. In addition, women with a higher ratio of total months pregnant during their life to total months breastfeeding were at greater risk. Read more...
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A Sweet Link: Cocoa and Brain Function - Drinking two cups of hot cocoa each day for one month helped improve brain function in some older adults, according to research. One hypothesis is that cocoa contains flavanols, plant-based chemicals that help increase levels of nitric oxide, which opens blood vessels. Read more...
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Failure to Identify Famous Faces May Help Detect Early Dementia - An inability to recognize famous faces may be an early indicator of dementia. So says a recent study, which observed 30 individuals with primary progressive aphasia, a language-based impairment that occurs in some types of dementia, and 27 individuals without dementia. Read more...
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Protein Accumulation, Rather Than Plaque, May Lead to Alzheimer's Disease - A new study suggests that a specific protein that accumulates in healthy aging brains and interferes with brain signals could be the cause of both normal forgetfulness associated with old age as well as advanced neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. This theory differs from the current thinking that Alzheimer's disease is linked to the accumulation of plaques in the brain. Read more...
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August 15, 2013
Volume 6 Issue 17
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Junior Golf Tournament
The world's top junior golfers competed in the Thunderbird International Junior at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., May 25-28.
In this tournament, the sponsors designate a deserving charity of each of the players' choice to receive donations on the junior golfers' behalf.
The sponsors are the Thunderbirds, the Phil and Amy Mickelson Charitable Fund, the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open, and Grayhawk Golf Club - all based in Phoenix.
Connor Black, of Houston, who finished 19th in this year's tournament, selected AFA as the recipient of his portion of the donation -- $1,000. Connor's great grandmother lived with dementia in the later years of her life.
 Call for Nominations
Do you know an exceptional dementia care provider? Nominate him or her for "Dementia Care Professional of the Year." Now in its sixth year, this competition hosted by AFA's Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA) division honors an individual who has demonstrated professional excellence in care, compassionate performance that exceeds expectations and a dedicated commitment to people with Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses. Professionals do not need to be affiliated with DCPA or AFA to be nominated and can be recommended by their peers, colleagues, employers, clients or clients' families. The deadline for applications is September 1. For more information or to apply, visit the DCPA Web site.
Ninth Annual 'For the Love of George Cocktail Party and Concert'
AFA's ninth annual "For the Love of George" cocktail party and concert will take place on October 10, from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., at Providence in New York City, and will feature a live performance by singer/songwriter Brendan James.
Attendees will also enjoy casino-style games, a silent auction, food and cocktails. Ben Aaron, features reporter for NBC-TV's "New York Live" will serve as master of ceremonies.
For tickets, visit TicketWeb
or call AFA at 866-232-8484.
AFA's National Commemorative Candle Lighting Weekend of Prayer will take place November 15-17. This annual event offers an opportunity to remember and honor Americans who have been or will be affected by Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses. To host a local candle lighting ceremony, click here.
AFA's Annual National Memory Screening Day is slated for November 19, and thousands of sites across the country are expected to offer free, confidential memory screenings and educational materials. To register as a site, click here.
Sign the
Stop Alzheimer's Petition
Speak out now against Alzheimer's disease. Together we can become a chorus of voices echoing through the halls of Washington, DC, speaking for those who are in the shadows.
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The Legacy SocietyAFA's Legacy Society offers special recognition to individuals who have included AFA in their wills or estate plans.
Support AFA Monthly
Donors can now make recurring monthly donations to AFA, which will be automatically deducted from your credit card each month. You may cancel at any time.
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