Alzheimer's Association Receives $5 Million from National Association of Retired Federal Employees to Fund Alzheimer Research

Alzheimer's Association
Friday, 27 June 2003

NARFE extends pledge to "$7 million in 2007"

The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) has raised $5 million for the Alzheimer's Association approximately two years ahead of schedule. Having reached their fundraising goal in advance of its 2005 target date, NARFE has extended the campaign to "$7 million in 2007." NARFE forged a relationship with the Alzheimer's Association in 1985, since then its members have been steadily raising money to fund Alzheimer research.

"NARFE's fundraising has truly been a grassroots effort," said Sheldon Goldberg, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "NARFE members have been active in their communities organizing fundraising activities, such as coin drops and raffle ticket sales, that have added up to a remarkable donation. Their commitment to the Alzheimer cause for nearly 20 years has helped the Alzheimer's Association fund vital research into the causes, prevention, treatment, and cure of Alzheimer's disease."

Currently, four million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and that number is expected to surge as 76 million baby boomers reach the age of greatest risk in 2011.

NARFE made its first pledge to the association in 1986 to create a research endowment of $500,000, and fulfilled that commitment in 1988. The organization then pledged another $500,000, fundraising for which was completed in 1991. Having raised $1million, NARFE became a charter member of the Alzheimer's Association's Zenith Fellows, a premier
group of donors of $1 million to Alzheimer research. Buoyed by its success, NARFE completed a second $1 million campaign, and in 1996 launched the "Target 2000 Fund" to raise a third $1 million by 2000. In January 1999, NARFE began another campaign to bring its cumulative fundraising for the Alzheimer's Association to"$5 million by 2005." The new campaign was so successful by September 2002, NARFE announced at its 27th National Convention that the pledge would be increased by an additional $2 million, bringing the cumulative donation to "$7 million in 2007."

"NARFE is proud to have reached the $5 million goal two years early," said Charles L. Fallis, NARFE national president. "Raising money for Alzheimer's is a 'labor of love' for our members. So many of them have a spouse, relative or good friend impacted by this horrible disease that, helping to find a cure is a natural response. Thanks to thousands of NARFE members, we get closer to the goal of finding a cure each day."

NARFE contributions have supported 24 research projects since 1988, including studies on brain imaging, and the role genetics and vascular factors may play in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) is the only association dedicated to protecting the earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees and their survivors. Founded by 14 federal workers in 1921, NARFE has become an effective and highly respected legislative voice for federal workers and retirees. Membership has grown to nearly 400,000 federal, District of Columbia, and postal employees, retirees, spouses, and survivors united to preserve the economic security and well-being of federal employees on the job and in retirement. For more information about NARFE, visit www.narfe.org.

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