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Media
Release
For
immediate release
Aug. 14, 2006
For more information:
Patricia Wilkinson, Alzheimer Society of Canada
(416)847-2959, PWilkinson@alzheimer.ca
Ascent for Alzheimer’s — Canadian Climbing for a Generation
Research is the key to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease
August 14, 2006—When Canadian Dave McAmmond reaches the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro next month, he will do so with an entire generation of baby boomers on his mind. The 55-year-old Albertan, a member of the Ascent for Alzheimer’s World Team, will be climbing Africa’s highest mountain as part of an international initiative to raise critical funds for Alzheimer research.
Spearheaded by Alzheimer’s Disease International, the event will see a team of 10 climbers from eight countries attempt to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa on September 21, which is also World Alzheimer’s Day. The journey to reach the 19,340 foot summit will represent a symbolic act of international unity against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and the uphill climb people with the disease and their caregivers face everyday. 2006 also marks the 100th year anniversary since the identification of Alzheimer’s disease.
McAmmond, President and CEO of Canadian Treads Corp. in Edmonton, Alberta, has committed to raising a minimum of $10,000 for the climb, all of which will be used to fund Alzheimer research in Canada. Unlike many people who devote their time and resources to trying to combat Alzheimer’s disease, Dave and his family have not yet been touched directly by the disease. Instead, his interest in participating in the climb stems from something much broader.
“As a 55 year old baby boomer, my connection to Alzheimer’s disease is the realization that it has the potential to strike out not only at me, but an entire generation of my friends, family, colleagues and business associates,” says McAmmond.
“While earlier diagnosis and new treatments for disease symptoms are encouraging, there is still a long way to go,” adds McAmmond. “Research is the key, and we must do whatever we can to accelerate the pace of progress, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.”
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias affect 1 in every 13 Canadians over the age of 65, or an estimated 435,000 people. Worldwide, that number jumps to more than 24 million. As the population continues to age, these numbers are expected to dramatically increase.
Canadians can help McAmmond with both his climb and his cause by making a donation to the Ascent for Alzheimer’s at www.alzheimer.ca, or by calling 1-800-616-8816. All money raised by McAmmond will be donated to the Alzheimer Society of Canada in support of research. The Alzheimer Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit health organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
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