The Alzheimer's Project on HBO

www.Caresquare.com

The Alzheimer’s Project

Background On the Series

On May 10th, 2009, HBO will premiere The Alzheimer’s Project, a groundbreaking four part documentary series about Alzheimer’s disease. The films are presented in association with the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association, and are executive produced by Maria Shriver, the First Lady of California, whose father is currently battling Alzheimer’s. 

While there is no cure for the disease, The Alzheimer’s Project shows there is now genuine reason to be optimistic about the future.  Created by the award-winning team behind HBO’s acclaimed “Addiction” project, this multi-platform series takes a close look at the pioneering discoveries made by the country’s leading scientists, as well as the effects of this debilitating and fatal disease both on those with Alzheimer’s and on their families.  Segments include:

• The Memory Loss Tapes - an intimate look into the lives of seven individuals living with Alzheimer’s, each in an advancing state of dementia across the full spectrum of the progression of the disease. 

• Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am? - a film for children narrated by and featuring Maria Shriver that introduces viewers to seven children learning to understand and cope with their grandparent’s illness. 

• Caregivers - Seen through the lens of five individuals caring for family members suffering from the disease, this film conveys the sacrifices and successes of people who experience their loved ones’ gradual descent into dementia.

• Momentum in Science - This film uncovers the groundbreaking research of 25 leading scientists and offers a hopeful, optimistic portrait of the search for a cure.

Background On the Alzheimer’s Coalition

One of the most devastating forms of memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory as well as cognitive and motor skills.  Today, Alzheimer’s is the second most-feared illness in America, following cancer, and may affect as many as five million Americans.  As the baby-boom generation reaches retirement, that number could soar to more than 11 million by 2040 and have a huge economic impact on America’s already fragile healthcare system.  Regardless of age, race, ethnicity or sex, Alzheimer’s is an issue that touches us all.  This spring, HBO is launching a national, grassroots initiative to raise awareness for the disease, and spur further understanding, discussion and action in communities across America. 

To accomplish this goal, HBO will offer select national organizations and their and local chapters a FREE “screening-in-a-box” kit, with resources and tools to help host a screening of The Alzheimer’s Project.  In an effort to inform the public, spur conversation, and excite individuals to participate in the search for a cure, HBO will make DVDs of their groundbreaking, four-part documentary series, The Alzheimer’s Project, available at no charge to national and local organizations that screen the film(s) for their constituents and host a discussion panel between April 27^th and May 10^th. Beginning on April 1st, interested organizations can log onto www.hbo.com/alzheimers/screenings to request a kit and register to take part in this national discussion.  Organizations can choose to order one segment or the entire library of DVD’s.

For more information about the initiative, ore to pre-order a kit, please contact Kevin Koenig at Civic Entertainment Group, Kevin.Koenig@cegny.com or 212.426.7006.