Every September, there’s an international campaign to raise awareness for, and challenge the stigma that surrounds, dementia. More specifically, Alzheimer’s disease. September is World Alzheimer’s Month.
History of World Alzheimer’s Month
World Alzheimer’s Month began back in 2012, in order to unite the globe under one cause. The awareness month brings together world leaders, people affected by the disease, their caregivers, and their family and friends. It also brings the disease further to the forefront on researchers, scientists, and the media. This type of awareness can spread the word of not only what the disease is, but also the people it affects, as many people in the world still don’t know what dementia is. In fact, 2 out of every 3 people in the world believe that their country has little or no understanding of dementia.
Originally, the awareness for Alzheimer’s was just a single day, September 21, which it still is. However, World Alzheimer’s Month was added to extend the awareness and give people a chance to extend the overall scope and reach of their awareness campaigns.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
In its most basic form, Alzheimer’s disease is a variety of dementia, and is a progressive disease that destroys mental functions and memory. The disease attacks the brain cells and neural connections, destroying them and thus reducing memory and cognitive functions. The disease can become so bad that even basic, day-to-day functions are eliminated.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than three million people in the United States every year. In the scope of the world, Alzheimer’s disease affects over 44 million people. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no cure. However, there are some medications that have been shown to be effective in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s, or reducing the symptoms. World Alzheimer’s `90p Month aims to not only bring awareness to the disease, but to also raise funds for research in hopes of finding a cure.
How You Can Help
All over the world, during the month of September, various different organizations come together to raise awareness and funds. They do this in a variety of ways. The most popular is with an Alzheimer’s walk. This is a massive gathering of people with Alzheimer’s, their family and friends, caregivers, and more. They all meet in a central location in their city or town, and get together to walk for a cure. This means that they are raising funds through donations, and then walking. This type of event is typically large, especially in bigger cities. Showing your support by donating to these causes and participating in the events can go a long way to furthering the research for a cure.
One can also make a donation directly to a local or national Alzheimer’s research fund. Your contribution will allow the organization to not only continuing running, but also directly support the research towards a cure.
World Alzheimer’s Month Conclusion
Getting out there and spreading the word about World Alzheimer’s Month is important. There are many people that still don’t know what the disease is, or even what they can do to help. By joining in the fight against such a disease, we may be getting closer to a cure, thus saving precious memories of those that we love and care for.
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