The official MedZine Blog

MedZine editorial

Amsterdam, September 20th 2013-

On September 21st it is World Alzheimer’s Day, the climax of the World Alzheimer’s Month. Since 1994 World Alzheimer’s Day has been held on September 21st to raise awareness for the disease.

This disease, named after neurologist Alois Alzheimer, causes progressive damage on the brain and is the most common form of dementia. Across the globe, 35 million people and their families are affected by dementia. The theme for World Alzheimer's Month 2013 is Dementia: a journey of caring. Alzheimer associations across the world focus their activities on the care required by people with dementia throughout the course of the condition.

Several activities are being organized in different countries throughout the month including seminars and concerts. On the website of the Alzheimer Association inspiring stories can be found from people that have Alzheimer patients in their immediate surroundings or take care of patients with Alzheimer, and even form people that are affected by the disease themselves. These stories show how devastating the disease can be.

To help raise funds for care, support and research the walks to end Alzheimer’s are organized in different location. Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the largest event in the United States to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.  The British equivalent is the Memory Walk.

An easy way to show your support for the fight against Alzheimer’s is to Go Purple! The Empire State Building is being lighted with purple spots and in Washington garden have been planted full of purple flowers. You can simply dress in purple or put the END ALZ icon on you Facebook page to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s.

Sources: Alzheimer Association and Alzheimer’s Society