Celebrities Around the Country Walk to Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Association
Friday, 1 October 1999

Hollywood has come out full force to fight Alzheimer's — a disease that currently affects four million Americans, some of whom are close family and friends of the stars. More than a dozen celebrities, ranging from actors and actresses to activists and sports figures, will be participating in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk over the next several weeks. The goal is to raise $17.5 million to help families coping with Alzheimer's disease.

"I've participated in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk for the past four years and every year more celebrities get involved," says Emmy-award winning actor David Hyde Pierce, co-star of the hit series Frasier and a national honorary chair of the 1999 Memory Walk. "Alzheimer's is a cruel disease that affects millions of people. Pretty soon, if we don't find a cure, everyone will know someone with Alzheimer's and every Hollywood star would have no choice but to get involved."

Joining David Hyde Pierce as national honorary chairs are, Maureen Reagan, daughter of President Ronald Reagan, actress Shelley Fabares, Fox sportscaster Tim Ryan, and Latino singer/songwriter Deborah Franco.

Celebrities Supporting Memory Walks Across the Country:

- David Hyde Pierce will be walking in Los Angeles on October 2.
- Maureen Reagan will be walking in Chicago on October 3.
- Shelley Fabares will be walking in Los Angeles on October 2.
- Deborah Franco will be walking in Los Angeles on October 2, Ventura County on October 3rd, San Diego on October 9th and New York City on October 17.
- Actress Sharon Lawrence of CBS's Ladies Man will be walking in Los Angeles on October 2.
- New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will be walking in New York on October 17.
- New York Yankee Chuck Knoblauch will be walking in New York on October 17.
- Former New York Met Keith Hernandez will be walking in New York on October 17.
- Former NFL quarterback, Vince Ferragamo, Los Angeles Rams will be walking in Orange County on October 2.
- Former NBA star, Tom Chambers, Phoenix Suns kicked off Memory Walk in Phoenix.
- Actor James Gammon of CBS's Nash Bridges will be walking in Orlando on October 9.
- Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell will be walking in Los Angeles on October 2.
- Actor Ken Howard will be walking in Los Angeles on October 2.
- Talk Show Host Kathie Lee Gifford of Live with Regis & Kathie Lee recorded a PSA for Memory Walk.
- Musician Willie Nelson recorded radio and television PSAs promoting Memory Walk.
- Texas First Lady Laura Bush is honorary chair of Memory Walk in Austin.
- Musician Jimmy Buffett recorded radio PSAs promoting Memory Walk.

"Unfortunately most of the celebrities participating in Memory Walk has or has had a family member with Alzheimer's disease," said Margaret Kirk, vice president of development for the Alzheimer's Association. "The good news is that they've gotten involved to help others who are affected by this disease and at the same time they are raising awareness of Alzheimer's."

Alzheimer's Association Memory Walks are taking place in more than 400 communities across the country with nearly 150,000 walkers. Sprint is the national sponsor of the 1999 Memory Walk. To find the nearest Memory Walk, contact the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900 or visit the Association's web site at www.alz.org.

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to research for the causes, treatments, prevention and cure of Alzheimer's disease, as well as to providing education and support for people with the disease, their families and caregivers.

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org