The Annual Dancing Stars Gala returns to Albuquerque April 14. Courtesy photo

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATIONS News:

ALBUQUERQUE – The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Dancing Stars Gala will return to Albuquerque.

The Dancing Stars Gala is a competitive fundraiser, featuring local celebrities and community leaders who raise money for important Alzheimer’s research by learning how to dance over the course of months, fundraising, then competing against each other on the night of the Gala.

The event is hosted annually by the Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter. It’s an evening of fine dining, dancing and rollicking fun, where votes decide which local celebrity can lay claim to the Dancing Stars Trophy, all in the name of raising money for research that may one day lead to a breakthrough in the battle to end Alzheimer’s disease.

The event is 5-10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Presenting Sponsors are Retreat Healthcare and Enchantment Dancing. Gourmet dinner included. For tickets and information, call 505.266.4473 or visit http://act.alz.org/2018NMGala. 

“The Dancing Stars Gala is unlike any of our other fundraisers,” said Executive Director Gary L. J. Girón of the Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter. “Dress in your finest party clothes, enjoy fine food, dancing and competition – all for a very worthy cause. It’s a fun and unique way for the community to participate in our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease. We encourage everyone to come out and share this unique special event with us.”

Popular KRQE news anchors Jessica Garate and Dean Staley are returning this year as co-hosts for the Gala. “Jessica and Dean are just amazing as co-emcees. They both have so much charisma and chemistry together,” said Media Director Chris Chaffin of Alzheimer’s Association, NM Chapter. This year’s Gala will feature a “Broadway Musicals” theme. 

The dancing stars themselves have been training since last fall, under the careful direction of Chip Hindi, founder and proprietor of Enchantment Dancing and his team of choreographers and dancers.  “Chip’s involvement is at the heart of this event is essential.  We simply could not put on this caliber of show without his expertise and generosity,” says Chaffin.

Fundraisers like the Dancing Stars Gala are crucial because the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is growing – and growing fast. Today, 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the US, and nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimer’s disease – 3.3 million – are women. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia*.

Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s dementia. By 2050, someone in the United States will develop Alzheimer’s dementia every 33 seconds.  By that same year, as many as 16 million will have the disease.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias was $259 billion in 2017, expected to rise to $1.1 trillion by mid-century.

Alzheimer’s takes a devastating toll – not just on those with the disease, but on entire families. In our own state, 38,000 New Mexicans are suffering from Alzheimer’s. They are cared for by 106,000 unpaid caregivers, many of whom are members of their own families. 

Cognitive Decline is a strong indicator of future dementia, and according to figures released by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, it is a growing burden in New Mexico. As of 2016, 12.5 percent (or 1 in every 8) New Mexicans 45 and older report confusion or memory loss happening more often or getting worse (“subjective cognitive decline”); 33 percent of those with memory problems live alone, and for those with worsening memory problems, 58.2 percent say it has created “functional difficulties”. Nearly 54 percent of those with memory problems have not spoken to their doctor or healthcare professional about it. 

If you need help, call us. Our 24/7 Helpline anytime is available any time, day or night for support or information: 1.800.272.3900. 

The Alzheimer’s Association, New Mexico Chapter offers many free services and resources to caregivers and families facing the disease: support groups, care consultations, respite, educational presentations, safety programs, information and referral and more. 

We have five branch offices in the state: Albuquerque (Main Office), Santa Fe (Northeastern New Mexico), Farmington (Northwestern New Mexico), Roswell (Southeastern New Mexico) and Las Cruces (Southwestern New Mexico). All offices may be contacted by calling 1.800.272.3900. 

*Source for all statistics: The 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report at www.alz.org/facts.

About the Alzheimer’s Association®

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s 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. Visit www.alz.org or call 1.800.272-3900.