NEWS RELEASE
October 21, 1999

"Faces of Alzheimer's" Display Unveiled at Capitol

Governor Engler Declares November "Alzheimer's Awareness Month"

Michigan Department of the Community Health Director, James K. Haveman, Jr., today praised the "Faces of Alzheimer's" display on exhibit at the State Capitol. The photos were collected from families around the state by the ten Alzheimer's Association chapters in Michigan. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior, ultimately leaving its victims totally incapable of caring for themselves.

"This photo collage of Alzheimer's victims and their families is an extremely moving way to increase awareness of this tragic disease," said Haveman. "The emotional and financial costs of Alzheimer's disease to individuals and their families are enormous."

Governor Engler has declared November as Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month in Michigan. Over 162,000 people in Michigan have Alzheimer's disease, which affects males and females of all ethnic and socioeconomic groups equally.

"The goal of the display is to show the personal face of this terrible disease," said Sara Duris, Public Policy Coordinator for Michigan State Council, a coalition of the Michigan Alzheimer's Association chapters. "We hope this exhibit will help raise public awareness of this disease."

The "Faces of Alzheimer's" display will be exhibited in the Capitol through October 29. It will then move to the lobby of the Cass Building, 320 S. Walnut, in Lansing, for exhibition during November. The display was created with the help of Johnson & Rauhoff advertising agency, of St. Joseph, and the exhibit system was donated by Kalamazoo Banner Works.

"Today four million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and it is estimated that 14 million will have the disease by the middle of the next century," said Dian Wilkins, Executive Director of the Detroit Area Alzheimer's Association Chapter and President of the Michigan State Council. "This disease has a tremendous impact on our society and economy, costing American business over $33 billion a year. Unless science finds a way to stop the process or slow it down, Alzheimer's disease will be the epidemic of the 21st century."