BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National Football League (NFL) wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills, Terrell Owens, will support the Alzheimer's Association this fall by having his own team for Memory Walk(R). Owens has created "TO's Champs" to raise funds and awareness for the as many as 5.3 million Americans living with the disease and their 10 million caregivers, according to the Alzheimer's Association 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.
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Every 70 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease. That means more than 12 people will develop Alzheimer's in the time it takes Owens to play one 15-minute quarter of football.
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Owens has been personally affected by this disease, as his grandmother Alice is living with Alzheimer's after being diagnosed in 1996, the year Owens entered the NFL. As a result, Owens is dedicated to learning more about the disease and supporting the Alzheimer's Association.
"Alzheimer's has affected my own family, so I understand first-hand the impact of this disease," says Owens. "I am proud to support the Alzheimer's Association as they educate people on the realities of Alzheimer's disease so we can inspire enough support to stop it."
Due to his commitments with the Buffalo Bills, Owens will not be able to attend Memory Walk events. However, he personally encourages fans to join "TO's Champs" and participate in Memory Walk or donate to his team.
Donations made will support the Alzheimer's Association's mission to provide and enhance care and support for all affected by Alzheimer's and fund critically needed research.
Fans of Owens in the Buffalo area may participate in the Memory Walk at Delaware Park/Buffalo Zoo on Saturday, September 19.
For more information about the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, or to join a walk in your area, visit www.alz.org/memorywalk.
The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk(R) is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. Memory Walks are held annually in hundreds of communities across the country.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the 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.
-- To register for Memory Walk with "TO's Champs," visit: http://ErieCountyWalk.kintera.org/toschamps. -- To make a donation to Memory Walk in support of Owens, visit: http://ErieCountyWalk.kintera.org/to
SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
