We’ve popped the question to our leaders on Valentine’s Day

CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia Vic, Maree McCabe, said that thousands of Valentine’s Day cards will arrive in the mailboxes of our political leaders at Parliament House in Canberra today.

"The cards have given people the chance to personally tell their stories to our political leaders and why we need $500 million over five years in the May Federal Budget to fund dementia awareness, early diagnosis, care and support, risk reduction and investment in research," Ms McCabe said.

"Our leaders can expect to see a second influx of Valentine’s Day cards after we take to the streets of every major city today to encourage the wider community to join the fight."

"I will be joining the Alzheimer’s Australia Vic team in Melbourne at Flinders St Station from 4.00pm to 7.00pm to urge people to get behind this very important campaign."

This is the latest action in the ongoing campaign led by Alzheimer’s Australia to secure much needed funding to combat the looming dementia epidemic.

There are almost 280,000* Australians living with dementia, with 69,000 in Victoria, and this number will soar nationally to almost one million by 2050*.

"The 280,000* Australians in total with dementia, plus the estimated 1.2 million** people who care for them need to be given hope that our Government is committed to beating dementia now, and in the future, by ensuring that the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Action Plan is supported this Federal Budget," Ms McCabe said.

For more information on the campaign visit: http://campaign.fightdementia.org.au/the-campaign/valentines-day/  

Alzheimer’s Australia Vic is the charity for people living with dementia and their families and carers.

As the peak body, we provide advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 69,000 people are living with dementia in Victoria. This number is projected to double by 2030.

National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500 - an Australian Government Initiative

An interpreter service is available. www.fightdementia.org.au

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The Alzheimer’s Australia Vic Valentine’s Day Street Team will be at Flinders Street Station, 4:00pm – 7:00pm on Tuesday 14 February, 2012.

Media enquiries:

Christine Bolt, 0400 004 553 cbolt@alzvic.asn.au

Kelly McNeill: 0437 453 113 kmcneill@alzvic.asn.au

* Dementia Across Australia 2011-2050, Deloitte Access Economics, October 2011

** Pfizer Health Report Issue #45 – Dementia, March 2011