The Alzheimerโ€™s Association is inviting Southern Maryland residents to become Champions in the fight against Alzheimerโ€™s by participating in the annual Alzheimerโ€™s Association Memory Walkยฎ. Regency Furniture Stadium and Asbury~Solomons Island will be the sites of the 2010 Memory Walk on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. check-in time with the walk commencing promptly at 10:00 a.m.

Alzheimerโ€™s disease is a growing epidemic that is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.ย  It is estimated that someone in America develops Alzheimerโ€™s disease every 70 seconds.ย  By mid-century someone will develop Alzheimerโ€™s disease every 33 seconds.

โ€œThere has never been a greater need for the citizens of Southern Maryland to join in the fight against Alzheimerโ€™s disease by participating in Memory Walk,โ€ said Linda Gottfried, an Alzheimerโ€™s Association spokesperson.ย  โ€œAs many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimerโ€™s disease and funds raised will provide support services to the residents of Southern Maryland living with Alzheimerโ€™s, while also contributing to critically needed research.โ€

The Alzheimerโ€™s Association Memory Walk is an empowering event that gives participants an opportunity to be Champions by taking action and raising funds to fight Alzheimerโ€™s.ย  In addition to the one mile or three mile option participants will enjoy music, dance, face painting, and area vendors who are sponsoring this yearโ€™s event. Special thanks to this yearโ€™s sponsors: Brad and Linda Gottfried, Genesis HealthCare, Morningside House, Chaney Foundation, Asbury~Solomons Island, Calvert Marina, Carmenโ€™s Gallery, CCNRC, Circle of Care, Civista Health, Community Bank of Tri-County, Constellation Energy, Flooring America, Maryland Bank and Trust Company, N.A., SMECO, and St. Maryโ€™s Council #1470 Knights of Columbus. Several area companies are making in-kind donations including Spyroโ€™s Bagels Bakery and Deli, Claddagh Productions, Lennyโ€™s Restaurant, Kevin Amos, DeeJay C.J. Kiggins, and Face Painting by Ming Diaz. New sponsors and services are welcome at any time. For more information on becoming a sponsor call Linda Gottfried at 301-934-5856 or email linda.gottfried@alz.org.

About the Alzheimerโ€™s Association Memory Walkยฎ:
The Alzheimerโ€™s Association Memory Walkยฎ is the nationโ€™s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research programs. Held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls volunteers of all ages to become Champions in the fight against Alzheimerโ€™s.