Alzheimer’s Association Blondes Vs. Brunettes® Kicks Offs In Columbia
June 4, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – June 14, 2014– The Alzheimer’s Association will host its inaugural Blondes vs. Brunettes flag football game on June 14, 2014 at Hammond School in Columbia. The two teams are divided based on the age-old rivalry between blondes and brunettes, while increasing awareness of Alzheimer’s disease among a new generation (Note: Redheads are “free agents,” permitted to play for the team of their choice). Funds raised will benefit the care, support, advocacy and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
The first Blondes vs. Brunettes game was held in Washington D.C. in 2005. Since its inception, Blondes vs. Brunettes has expanded to games in Austin, Buffalo, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and New York. Together, Blondes vs. Brunettes have raised more than $2 million in an effort to tackle Alzheimer’s disease.
“Most of us playing in this game have some tie to Alzheimer’s. We’ve seen the people we love depreciate in health, happiness and memory,” said Kyndel Lee, Blondes VS Brunettes Columbia Team Captain. “And this terrible disease is going to affect more people as the years progress- deaths from Alzheimer’s continue to increase. Our only hope is to spread awareness and gain support for the cause.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, a woman’s estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 6, compared with nearly 1 in 11 for a man. As real a concern as breast cancer is to women’s health, women in their 60s are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s over the rest of their lives as they are to develop breast cancer.
“Women are increasingly at the epicenter of Alzheimer’s disease. We currently make up the majority of people living with the disease — as well as caregivers for those individuals. Our Blondes vs. Brunettes players are women who want to change the course of this disease,” said Cindy Alewine, President/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association South Carolina Chapter. “We encourage all football-lovers to join us — on a team or on the sidelines — to tackle Alzheimer’s, the sixth-leading cause of death in the US.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and is now the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. As many as 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and this number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050. In South Carolina alone, there are 79,000 people living with Alzheimer’s.
About the Alzheimer’s Association:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org.
