OXFORD, Miss. – University of Mississippi faculty, staff and students,
\nas well as members of the surrounding community, are invited to
\nparticipate in the Oxford Alzheimer’s Memory Walk on Halloween morning.
\n
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\nThe event begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 31 in front of the Lyceum and
\nculminates with dedication of the “Bardo of Rose” sculpture, an
\nabstract piece that honors those touched by Alzheimer’s disease,
\nlocated on the grounds of University Museum at Fifth Street and
\nUniversity Avenue.\n<\/p>\n
\n“Memory walks are the nation’s largest
\nevents to raise awareness and funds for care, support and research to
\nend Alzheimer’s,” said Jo Ann O’Quin, UM professor of social work.
\nO’Quin is a founding member of the Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group
\nand on the Board of the Mississippi Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association.\n<\/p>\n
\nWalk participants typically register in teams of 10 to 12
\nmembers and raise funds using a variety of projects and tools supported
\nby the Alzheimer’s Association.\n<\/p>\n
\n“Team captains are yet seeking participants and supporters for
\nthe event,” said Bill Arnold of Oxford, co-chair of the Memory Walk.
\n“Even if someone cannot participate in the walk, individuals can join
\nteams to assist in fundraising and awareness.”\n<\/p>\n
\nBesides joining a team, individuals can participate by donating \nProgressive and irreversible, Alzheimer’s disease is the most \nIt is estimated that about 5 million Americans and 53,000 \n“Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s,” O’Quin said. \nThe disease typically affects about 10 percent of people ages 65 \n“Alzheimer’s is a global fight,” O’Quin said. “By working together, we can win.”\n<\/p>\n \nTo sign up, for more information or for assistance related to a disability, contact O’Quin at 662-915-7199 or joquin@olemiss.edu<\/a>, or Arnold at 662-719-2954 at barnold@ms.metrocast.net<\/a>\n<\/p>\n
\nto a team member or in honor or memory of a loved one at http:\/\/www.alz.org\/ms<\/a>. Participants who raise at least $25 get a Memory Walk T-shirt and are encouraged to attend the event.\n<\/p>\n
\ncommon form of dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental
\nfunctioning.\n<\/p>\n
\nMississippians suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, with about 360,000
\npeople newly diagnosed each year.\n<\/p>\n
\n“Alzheimer’s costs more than $148 billion each year in direct and
\nindirect costs and creates huge burdens for caregivers.”\n<\/p>\n
\nand older, and the prevalence doubles roughly every 10 years after age
\n65. Up to half of the population ages 85 and older may have
\nAlzheimer’s. Because the population of the U.S. is aging, the number of
\npeople with Alzheimer’s is expected to continue growing unless
\nsomething can be done to stem the rise.\n<\/p>\n