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Local Business Owner Urges Corporate Community to Join the Move to End Alzheimer’s Disease : Series of fall Memory Walk fundraising events begin Oct. 11

[Norfolk, Va., Sept. 17, 2009] – Like many supporters who will pound the pavement at the Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk events this fall, David Stephens is doing it for a good reason. His grandmother died of Alzheimer’s, and his father has also been diagnosed with the disease.

“Wondering what’s going to happen to my father made me want to know more about it,” said Stephens. “My family’s experience is pushing me to do all that I can to see Alzheimer’s eliminated for future generations.”

Affecting as many as 26,000 people in southeastern Virginia and more than 5.3 million Americans, Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic that is now the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

A year ago, Stephens contacted the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter in Norfolk with questions about his father. He got to know Gino Colombara, the non-profit’s executive director. Soon after, Stephens was asked to serve on the Alzheimer’s Association’s board of directors. He then committed his business, Stephens Financial Partners, to be a local presenter for the South Hampton Roads Memory Walk events.

“I had been looking for a way to serve the community,” said Stephens. “This hit a personal note. Rather than my finding an organization to serve, the organization found me.”

On Sunday, Oct. 11, Stephens and his employees will help kick off the first Memory Walk event at Neptune Park and 31st Street in Virginia Beach. Other walks will follow Oct. 17 in downtown Smithfield, Oct. 24 at Port Warwick in Newport News and Nov. 7 at the Williamsburg Community Center. As part of their commitment, individual participants and organized teams walk in exchange for donations they’ve sought from friends and family members.

“Organizing a team is easy, and it’s something every business should consider, no question about it,” said Stephens. “So many people have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease in one way or another. The Alzheimer’s Association provides support and programs for individuals, families and caregivers right here in Hampton Roads. These are free, local resources you can rely on when Alzheimer’s hits home.”

The Alzheimer’s Association would like more businesses to become involved in the fight to end the disease.

“One out of every 10 Americans is affected by Alzheimer’s, and many employers may be unaware that an employee is struggling to balance work and caregiving responsibilities,” said Colombara.

Each year, Alzheimer’s costs American businesses an estimated $61 billion in health care expenses and caregivers’ lost productivity, absenteeism and work replacement, added Colombara. “By being involved, companies are sending a powerful message of support to employees, or even customers, who think they are alone in this fight," he said.

Check-in for all of the Memory Walk events begins at 9 a.m., followed by the 10 a.m. walk. Registration to walk is free, and collecting donations from friends and family is easy, thanks to online tools available at www.alz.org/seva. Participants may also register by calling (757) 459-2405. The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk is nationally presented by Genworth Financial. Local presenters include Stephens Financial Partners for

South Hampton Roads and BayPort Credit Union for the Peninsula. WVEC-TV and Max Media are the official media partners.

About the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®:
The Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk® is the nation’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 Alzheimer’s.

About the Southeastern Virginia Chapter:
The Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter has been helping those affected by Alzheimer’s disease for 27 years. In addition to all of the cities and towns in Hampton Roads, the chapter service area includes Williamsburg and the Eastern Shore, the city of Franklin, and the counties of Southampton, Isle of Wight and south central Virginia as far west as South Boston. The Alzheimer’s Association is a not-for-profit organization that provides services such as support groups, 24-hour Helpline, care consultations, respite care subsidy assistance and MedicAlert+Safe Return, a program to help locate and safely return someone who wanders as a result of Alzheimer’s disease. For more information visit www.alz.org/seva