Tuesday, September 21 is World Alzheimer's Day, as proclaimed by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) 26 years ago. Fundacion Alzheimer's Aruba. (F.A.A.) will be conducting a week of awareness and educational events surrounding World Alzheimer's Day beginning on Sunday. September 19 with a Mass conducted at the Catholic Church in Savaneta, followed by a “Koffie Morgen.”
F.A.A. President Melva Croes-Yanez announced during a press conference at the new Carte Blance Restaurant located in the Old Mill in Palm Beach a very special series of events for Teal Ribbon Week 2010 “where art and science combine to aid us in understanding Alzheimer’s and elderly dementia.” F.A.A is proud to welcome Professor Dr. Jose Raul Mena Lopez, Master and Doctor of Science in the specialty of Cellular Biology at the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CTNVESTAV), Mexico. Dr. Mena, whose ground- breaking research into the analysis of the causes and effects of Alzheimer's and related dementia has been nominated for the International Who’s Who 2009, and will give a free lecture on his work on Thursday evening, September 23, at the ballroom of the Occidental Grand Resort in Palm Beach.
14 noted island artists have participated in an exposition inspired by his work and the images it has produced, titled “The Rainbow of Dementia.” A particular scientific technique identifies elements in the brain at a molecular level and produces fantastical images. A number of these images and the works they have inspired will go on display in the Tara Suites breakfast lounge of the Bucuti Beach Resort on Tuesday morning, September 21, World Alzheimer's Day. The exposition will finish on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. with a public auction of the work, the proceeds to assist F.A.A. in their projects as well as the Brain Bank of Mexico. Anyone interested will find the art most intriguing and unique; entrance to the auction is free and includes a wine and cheese reception.
On World Alzheimer's Day, volunteers of the F.A.A. will distribute gift baskets to the homes of dementia patients containing necessary items donated by PriceSmart store. The week will end on Saturday, September 25 with the annual ‘Memory Walk” beginning at 5:30 p.m. from the Fisherman’s Huts, to Arashi Beach and return. All are welcome to participate and the first 300 to register will receive a Memory Walk T-shirt. Registration fee is 5 Aruban florins, ($2.85.)
This year’s theme for World Alzheimer's Day is Time for Action! as the latest figures reveal an increasing percentage of the world population being diagnosed with some form of dementia, 36 million individuals now suffer with Alzheimer's or a related disease: this is expected to increase to 100 million within the next 20 years and to 11.5 million by 2050. There is no known cure, but early detection and therapy can slow the process. Alzheimer's affects not only the individual but the entire family and community.
Teal Ribbon Week is dedicated to enhancing community awareness as well as preparing families to properly care for those members stricken with dementia. The events and activities provide information that help to ease the burden with living with someone with dementia and how we, as a community, can help each other to cope with this increasing dilemma.
For more information on the events of Teal Ribbon Week 2010 contact the Fundacion Alzheimer’s Aruba at telephone 592-8416 or visit website www.alzheimer-aruba.org.
