The Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Celebrates Caregivers at The Fourth Annual Visionary Women Luncheon

    IRVINE, CA, September 07, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Alzheimer's Association, Orange County Chapter will hold its fourth annual Visionary Women Luncheon on Friday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. Joining the celebration is special guest, Academy award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, who was also a caregiver to her mother who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

The Visionary Women Luncheon celebrates individuals who have served as models of commitment to compassionate care of those touched by Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia. They will be recognized for their sensitivity, empathy and ability to instill a sense of hope that distinguishes them and inspires others.

At the luncheon, The Crean Family Foundation will also be recognized as the Community Honoree. Thanks to their well-known generosity and unwavering commitment, the family exceeded $1million in lifetime giving this year. "The Crean family continues to walk alongside us in this fight against Alzheimer's - they hearten and sustain us," said Jim McAleer, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "We thank them for caring about the thousands of people who are struggling against the effects of Alzheimer's as caregivers and individuals with the disease."

Guests will be invited to shop at the exclusive, luxury boutique created specifically for the occasion by local vendors, and will enjoy an exciting awards program, delicious lunch, dessert in the boutique and be entertained by celebrated Broadway, television and film actress Pamela Winslow Kashani.

The luncheon is chaired by Kirsten Mangers, who also chairs, and will introduce, the newly established Visionary Women's Leadership Circle. The Leadership Circle empowers women to raise the level of concern about Alzheimer's disease in our community and to raise funds for quality care and critical research.

Facts about Alzheimer's Disease:
- 5.3 million people in America have Alzheimer's disease
- Currently, more than 66,000 Orange County residents are affected by memory loss disorders, a number expected to double by 2030
- Alzheimer's disease is the fourth leading cause of death in Orange County
- There are 10.9 million unpaid caregivers in the United States
- The annual cost of Alzheimer's nationally is $172 billion

Tax-deductible tickets are available to attend the luncheon for $100 per person, and tables start at $1,500. The proceeds of the event will be used to support the essential services and programs that are delivered to local families at no cost. For more information, please go to www.alzoc.org, or call 949.955.9000.

About Alzheimer's Association, Orange County
The Orange County Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association provides a comprehensive suite of programs and services -- provided at no charge -- to meet myriad and evolving needs of people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, their families, caregivers and the community. For more information, please go to www.alzoc.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

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