Media
Release
For
immediate release
Sept. 19, 2005
For more information:
Stacey Johnson, Alzheimer Society of Canada
(416)488-8772, ext. 244, pr@alzheimer.ca
Canadians Raise Funds and Cups for World's Largest Coffee Break --
Alzheimer Society Breaking Guinness Record to Celebrate National Fundraiser
On Wednesday morning (September 21st), Canadians will turn a regular part of their day into a national fundraising event and Canadian attempt to break a Guinness World Record with the "World's Largest Coffee Break". The Alzheimer Coffee Break™, already in its 10th year, is capitalizing on Canada's love of coffee by encouraging coffee drinkers to join a "coffee break" in their community and participate in a fun and simple record-breaking event.
Coffee Breaks are being held across the country, in a wide range of venues, and people interested in participating can visit www.alzheimer.ca for more details and locations. Any coffee breaks taking place on Wednesday, September 21st -- World Alzheimer's Day -- between 9 a.m. and noon will be part of the Guinness World Record attempt. The Macmillan Cancer Relief (UK) currently holds the record.
"Canadians have demonstrated over and over their capacity for giving when a person or group or country is in need," says Stephen Rudin, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "The Society is doing something ambitious this year in trying to raise $1.5 million and host over 26,000 events with 600,000 participants, but we're confident Canadians will rise to the challenge."
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease which currently affects 1 in 20 Canadians over the age of 65 or 1 in 4 over 85 (an estimated 280,000 people). Each year in Canada, approximately $5.5 billion is spent on Canadians with Alzheimer's disease. This amount is expected to increase dramatically as the population ages. Presently, there is no known cause or cure for the disease.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada is grateful to Pfizer Canada Inc. -- sponsor of Coffee Break since 1997 -- Joey's Only Seafood Restaurants and Creative Memories for their support and sponsorship. Appreciation is also extended to in-kind sponsor Sara Lee.
Alzheimer Coffee Break™ is the Alzheimer Society's nationwide fundraiser. Through a network of provincial and local organizations, the Society operates support and educational programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, and funds research. The Society's programs are funded primarily by donations from caring Canadians. If you would like more information about the event or to host a coffee break, please call 1-888-815-6829 or visit www.alzheimer.ca.
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