Local celebrities are among those helping put a new face on
Alzheimer's by having their pictures included in a photo collection.
The 14 well-known people who are featured wearing purple T-
shirts and hoodies with motivational words from the Alzheimer's
Association are helping educate people about the disease.
Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, University of Oklahoma men's basketball
coach Jeff Capel, actress Mary Kay Place, former Miss America
Jennifer Berry, former OU football coach Barry Switzer, OU President
David Boren and others are the faces of the campaign that aims to
dispel the misconception that Alzheimer's disease is just about old
people losing their memory. Local photographer Natalie Green,
president of Apertures Photo, and the OU photography staff shot the
collection.
John Erling, executive vice president of Ackerman McQueen in
Tulsa, said, "If it only takes a picture to increase awareness of
Alzheimer's disease, then we should all do it."
"The fact is, someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease will
lose the ability to form thoughts, remember simple words and
ultimately communicate," said Tonda Ames, vice president of
marketing and programs for the Oklahoma and Arkansas chapter.
"People with Alzheimer's need us to be their voice and open minds to
the realities of this disease.
"We need everyone to be an Alzheimer's champion. We need people
to be advocates and to help lobby for increased funding for
research. It will take all of us now who are healthy to increase
awareness and to find better treatments and ultimately, a cure."
To get involved with the campaign, people can become a Champion,
purchase a campaign T-shirt like the one the celebrities are
sporting in the exhibit, advocate for more research funding,
register for a local Memory Walk or make a donation online by
visiting www.alz.org/alzokar.
(C) 2008 Tulsa World. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved