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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-10, Page 24The Huron Expositor • January 10, 2007 Page 24 News Alzheimer Society launches special events to mark national awareness month Organizers hope to surpass 2006 totals of $26,000 with walk Jennifer Hubbard GEMZEIMMID "If you don't use it, you'll lose it." It's just one of many messages the Alzheimer Society of Huron County is hoping to share as it celebrates National Alzheimer Awareness Month in January. With the first of many special events beginning Monday, the `Heads up for Healthier Brains' campaign is underway, said local public -educa- tion coordinator Maggie Brennan. Alzheimer Huron's Appetite for Awareness `brown -bag lunch edu- cation series' will be held again this year. Starting with an overview of dementia on Jan. 8, the seminars will cover a variety of topics including: brain and behaviour on Jan. 15; risk factors on Jan. 22; and eight steps for a healthier brain on Jan. 29. Each session will be held at the OMAFRA office on Don Street in Clinton, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Each seminar costs $10 and lunch will be provided. Interested persons are asked to register in advance by calling the Society office. "We like to know who's coming ahead of time, so we can be pre- pared as far as lunch goes," Brennan said. Also returning for the 2007 awareness campaign is the Cuddle Bear Program, which was originally spearheaded by Willa Rivett and the late Barb Shewfelt, both of Goderich. More than 60 bears have been, made by local volunteers and are ready to be donated to persons with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia who are living in long- term care facilities or attending an adult day centre within the County. New this year is a Healthy Brain writing and drawing contest for Grade 4 and 5 students in Huron County. Students are being encour- aged to draw a picture or write a story — 500 words or less — about brain fitness and ways to keep the brain healthy. "It's something I've wanted to do ever since I started the Grade 4 awareness program, getting the kids more involved," Brennan explained. "We learn from our kids. They come home every day and tell their mom and dad what they did at school. It's another way to spread awareness to parents, while educat- ing the younger generation at the same time." 'We need community support to keep these programs local, '-- Event coordinator for Alzheimer Society of Huron County, Theresa Wilson Entries must be sub- mitted to the society office in Clinton by Jan. 22. Full contest rules, instructions and a list of,prizes, can be found at www.alzheimer- huron.on.ca. Winners will be announced during the Jan. 27 Walk for Memories, which will be held at five loca- tions throughout Huron County — Central Huron Secondary School in j Clinton, South Huron District High School in Exeter, F.E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham, the Suncoast Mall in Goderich and Seaforth Public School — from 10 a.m. to noon. Event coordinator Theresa Wilson said the 12th annual walk is the society's biggest fundraiser each year. The 2006 edition of the walk raised $26,000 and organizers are hoping to meet or exceed that mark in 2007. Wilson encouraged Seaforth-area residents to lace up their walking shoes for the cause as an individual walker or corporate challenge team member. "Please come out and show your support. We are in your communi- ty," Wilson said. "We need communi- ty support to keep these programs local." A variety of incentive prizes are available for top pledge collectors. Walkers can register online through the Alzheimer Huron web- site or stop by the office at 317 Huron Rd. in Clinton. As is tradition, designated walk- ers can take the place of those who wish to collect pledges, but are unable to attend. According to society statistics, approximately 10 per cent of the Huron County senior population is living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. That figure is expected to double over the next 20 years. And while there is no one cause for Alzheimer's disease, Brennan and the local Alzheimer society is encouraging area residents to think about improving their brain health. "The brain is one of your most vital organs, playing a role in every action and every thought. It's never too soon or too late to make changes that will improve or maintain your brain health — changes that may also help reduce your risk of devel- oping Alzheimer Disease," Brennan said a in a recent press release. "There are things we can all do to maintain and improve our brain health. It's time to take action for a healthier brain." Brennan listed wearing a seat belt, wearing helmets to avoid head injuries, eating fish twice a week and learning new skills to "exercise your brain," as ways to improve brain health. "What's good for the heart is good for the head," she commented. "You can look at any, disease and identify some things you can do to lower your risk factors. We can't stop Alzheimer's disease, but we can certainly lower the risks." For more information on local Alzheimer Society support pro- grams or any of the upcoming awareness events contact Brennan and (519) 482-1482. The `Heads up for Healthier Brains' theme will continue through until the end of 2008.