Alzheimer's Returns to "Crankshaft" Comic Strip

Alzheimer's Association
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Beginning on Monday, May 26, in more than 300 newspapers nationwide, the syndicated comic strip "Crankshaft"will revisit an engaging story line about Alzheimer's disease. Entitled "The Long Goodbye," the series explores character Lucy McKenzie's descent into Alzheimer's disease and her sister Lillian's struggle to care for her. The special six-week series was created by award-winning cartoonist Tom Batiuk as a follow-up to an Alzheimer's story line he first introduced in the comic strip in 1995.

"When I first broached the subject of Alzheimer's in 'Crankshaft,' it came on the heels of a lot of research, as well as suggestions and advice from the Alzheimer's Association," Tom Batiuk stated. "As a result, I knew going in that the story of Lucy McKenzie would not be a short or simple one to tell. It would have to not only deal with the victim of the disease, but also with the primary caregiver and extended friends and family as well. It would also have to be told in a time frame that didn't trivialize or minimize the devastating effects of the disease."

So while Batiuk and Ayers focused on the comings and goings of the other characters in "Crankshaft" over the past several years, the situation in the McKenzie home with Lillian and Lucy was quietly deteriorating, out of sight from the outside world as it does so often in real life. "It is not lightly that Alzheimer's is characterized as the 'long goodbye.' As we pick up the threads of Lucy's illness, we find that the situation has reached a crisis point and that things are ready to move on to the next chapter," said Batiuk.

Batiuk and artist Chuck Ayers have created eloquent and vivid scenarios that clearly demonstrate the pain of watching a once-vibrant sibling and friend become helpless as she slowly loses her identity and relinquishes her grip on reality. In one strip, Lillian confides in her next-door neighbor Pam Murdoch about her difficulty in accepting her sister's deteriorating condition, saying, "Lucy will become more forgetful and confused…but she's been like that her whole life. It's hard to know where Lucy ends and the Alzheimer's begins."

"We applaud Tom Batiuk for helping to raise public awareness of the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease in such a poignant and unique way," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "Lucy's story is unfortunately the story of millions of people across the country, and many readers will recognize situations from the lives of their own family and friends. For those dealing with this disease, laughter can sometimes be the best medicine. I hope this beautifully done series will help people realize that they are not alone in the fight against Alzheimer's."

After the original Alzheimer's series first appeared in newspapers in 1995, the overwhelming response by readers eventually led to the publication of "Safe Return Home,"an inspirational book for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients featuring a collection of the original series of strips as well as letters from "Crankshaft" readers across the country. Even as the book was being published, Batiuk knew that ultimately he and Ayers would have to one day return to Lucy's struggle with the Alzheimer's. However, in order to remain faithful to his intensive research about the disease, some time had to pass.
"My job is to present stories that will interest and engage newspaper readers. In doing so, I try to make the humor authentic and natural so that my characters are reacting just as the reader might," Batiuk said. "We can't laugh off the seriousness of Alzheimer's disease, but humor can be a great poke in the eye to that terrible adversary. It is to that thought that the story of Lucy and her sister Lillian is dedicated."

According to The Alzheimer's Association, the number of individuals with Alzheimer's in America is currently estimated to be more than 4 million. That number is expected to increase exponentially as the first wave of the 76 million baby boomers begins turning 65 in 2011. To learn more about this disease, including the programs and services available for people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, readers can call the Alzheimer's Association's national 24/7 toll-free hotline, 800.272.3900.

About "Crankshaft"
Written by Tom Batiuk (rhymes with "attic") and drawn by Chuck Ayers, "Crankshaft" is a spin-off of Batiuk's immensely popular high school comic, "Funky Winkerbean." The strip revolves around curmudgeonly school bus driver Ed Crankshaft and his salty interactions with family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. When Lucy and Lillian McKenzie were introduced into the cast of "Crankshaft" characters, readers instantly sympathized with Lucy's struggle to maintain her tenuous grip on reality as her Alzheimer's progressively worsened.

Since its debut in 1987, "Crankshaft" has resonated with readers emotionally invested in the strong, identifiable characters and plot-driven storylines. Written in the same "narrative humor" vein as "Funky," the strip offers plenty of humor, but it also tackles some tough issues like Alzheimer's, adult literacy and school violence.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate and available daily and on Sundays, "Crankshaft" currently connects with readers in more than 300 newspapers worldwide. Given the strip's thoughtful approach in acknowledging the issues facing today's senior citizens, "Crankshaft" is particularly popular among older people and those who have parents at or beyond retirement age.

For more information about "Crankshaft," its characters and creators Tom Batiuk and Chuck Ayers, please visit http://www.kingfeatures.com/features/comics/crank/about.htm.

About The Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the premier source of information and support for the 4 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. Through its national network of chapters, the association offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers and represents their interests on Alzheimer-related issues before federal, state and local government and with health and long-term care providers. The largest private funder of Alzheimer research in the United States, the association has committed $136 million toward research into the disease.

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