More than 70 local businesses,

organizations and groups have already committed to forming teams for the

upcoming Alzheimer's 2000 Memory Walk in Peachtree City. The walk will

be the first of its kind for the South Metro area and will include teams

from Fayette, Coweta and Clayton counties.

Floy Farr, whose wife has Alzheimer's disease, is the visionary behind

the walk. He and Elaine Gaillard, marketing director at Ashley Glen, had

walked in The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk held in Atlanta a number

of times. While Gaillard was a strong supporter of the walk, having to

get up and drive to Atlanta for a 7 a.m. walk was not one of her favorite

things.

During the last walk, Gaillard mentioned to Farr that she wished the walk

would start later. Farr suggested that Fayette County should have its

own walk and thus began the collaboration that has led to the first walk

for the Southside area.

Since the first meeting in January, the number of contributors, sponsors,

walkers and team leaders has grown beyond the pair's expectations.

The Memory Walk is the largest fund raiser for the Alzheimer's Association.

This will be the 9th year the association has hosted a walk in Atlanta.

Last year Athens hosted its own walk.

This year the Southside group became only the second to host one separately

from the main group. Already they have raised more money than Athens did

during their entire fundraiser.

The Atlanta Memory Walk will be held Sept. 23, seven days after the Athens

walk and seven days before the Southside walk. The Sept. 30 walk will

begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree

City.

The five-kilometer or 3.1-mile walk will wind along the cart paths to

culminate back at the Amphitheater. The Peachtree City Running Club is

considering the possibility of holding a run which would start prior to

the walk.

There is no registration fee to walk; however, those participating are

asked to assist in raising money to support research and other programs

sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association.

Walkers who collect a minimum of $50 will receive an official Memory Walk

T-shirt. Those raising $200 also receive a baseball cap. Other incentive

awards for raising varying amounts include a canvas bag, a long-sleeved

T-shirt, and a windbreaker.

Sponsors and team captains are still being sought for the Walk. Those

interested in forming a team can call Iola Snow at 770-486- 6991. For

sponsorship and other walk information contact Elaine Gaillard at 770-631-0205.

About Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, and the

most common form of dementia.

Approximately 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease.

More than 120,000 Georgians have been diagnosed, including 52,000 in the

Atlanta area.

Unless a cure or prevention is found, 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer's

be diagnosed with Alzheimer's..

One in 10 persons over 65 years of age and nearly half of those over 85

have the disease.

A person with Alzheimer's will live an average of eight years and as many

as 20 or more from the outset of symptoms.

Our country spends at least $100 billion a year on Alzheimer's. Neither

Medicare nor most private health insurance covers the long-term care most

patients need.

More than 7 of 10 people with Alzheimer's live at home. Almost 75 percent

of the home care is provided by family and friends. The remainder is "paid"

care that costs an average of $12,500 per year. Families pay almost all

of that out-of-pocket.

Half of all nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer's or a related

disorder.

The average cost for nursing home care is $42,000 per year but can exceed

$70,000 per year in some areas of the country.

Alzheimer's 2000 Memory

Walk

When: Saturday, September 30

Registration: 7:00 a.m.

Walk Starts: 8:30 a.m.

Where: Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater, Peachtree City

Route: 5 k (3.1 miles) on cart paths

Funds

Raised from the Walk will be used for:

Research and find causes, cures, treatments and prevention of Alzheimer's

disease

Counseling to families and caregivers

Education and support programs to Alzheimer's patients, their families

and caregivers

Public education programs, seminars and workshops for caregivers, health

professionals and lending libraries

Safe return programs for Alzheimer's patients

A 24-Hour Helpline program