Week of March 2 - March 8, 2008

WATERTOWN, Mass. - Marathoners from towns across the Northeast are getting in shape for the Alzheimer's Association “Run for the Memory” team for the Boston Marathon on April 21—because they’re committed to battling the disease that steals memories and eventually lives.

“More than 5 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s disease,” said James Wessler, President & CEO Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. “It is not just an old person’s disease—it can be early onset before age 65. And it nearly always affects the whole family because they become caregivers.” More than 120,000 people in Massachusetts have Alzheimer’s; nearly 80% of them are cared for at home.

For too long, Wessler said, Alzheimer’s had been kept in low profile. Not any more. With the aging of the baby boomers, the disease is poised to have a devastating affect. The men and women in the Run for the Memory team are hoping to have an impact as they raise money for research and programs to help those dealing with the disease.

“I regret being far away and not being able to help my family more, so I want to be able to at least help others dealing with Alzheimer’s by providing funds to the Association to help other families as they go through similar experiences,” said team co-captain Christine Horan of Brookline.

As part of their commitment, team members pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000 each. Last year, the average for the Alzheimer’s team was $7,500 per runner.

In 2005, the Alzheimer’s Association was recognized as an official charity of the Boston Marathon® for a three year cycle. The honor is accorded to a limited number of charities each year.

During the training period, the Alzheimer's Association hosts informational team meetings and organized runs, develops individual training programs, prepares runners through team meetings, web and telephone support, provides team uniforms and running equipment donated by New Balance, and organizes other activities to help the team learn from each other while enjoying the process.

The Run for the Memory team launched its own blog this year at www.alzmass.org/marathon/blog with highlights, stories and humor about their training written by team co-captain Ed Cederholm of Weymouth and team member Lori Coburn, Milton.

“We encourage anyone who has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease to get behind our team, cheer them on and support them,” Wessler said.

More Information:

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing Alzheimer’s research and helping those affected by the disease. With headquarters in Watertown, and regional offices in Lowell, Springfield, Worcester, Sandwich, and Bedford, NH it provides programs and services such as support groups, professional trainings, educational programs on the impact of the disease, care consultation and a 24/7 Helpline a 1.800.272.3900. For more information on the Run for the Memory Team, visit www.alz.org/MA.

Massachusetts Runners (alphabetical by town) :

Matt Mansfield, Arlington, MA

Patricia Verrier, Arlington, MA

Marie Kane, Boston, MA

Christine Hanson, Boxford, MA

Christine Horan, Brookline, MA

Casey Mullen, Brookline, MA

Michael Albert, Canton, MA

Thomas Cook, Hamilton, MA

Matthew O'Connor, Hopkinton, MA

Craig Jannino, Jamaica Plain, MA

Brian Casey, Melrose, MA

Sean Sexton, Middleton, MA

Lori Coburn, Milton, MA

Peter Jarvis, Milton, MA

Linda Smith, Needham, MA

Dale Eckert, Newburyport, MA

Dale Granger-Eckert, Newburyport, MA

Barry Greene, Newton, MA

Ann Iaccarino, Shrewsbury, MA

Jane Lizotte, Shrewsbury, MA

Tanya Acosta, South Boston, MA

Colm Kennedy, South Boston, MA

Brent Forester, Sudbury, MA

Jon Ashner, Waban, MA

Elizabeth Curran, Wakefield, MA

Kate Hassan, Waltham, MA

Jason Kramer, Watertown, MA

Katie Macdonald, Watertown, MA

Trish Reske, Westborough, MA

Edward Cederholm, Weymouth, MA

Out of State Runners:

Laura Benanchietti, Montclair, NJ

Dan Hinrichs, Richfield, MN

Brian Hsia, New York, NY

Maria Keilman, Salinas, CA

Sylvie McQuade-Ritschard, Issaquah, WA

Phil Millard, Mill Creek, WA

Donald Quintana, Mandeville, LA

Marylou Slonkosky, Minster, OH

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