New postage promotes Alzheimer's awareness

Melanie Vaughan, regional director of the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and Barry Perdew, Danville postmaster, unveiled a new stamp Friday promoting awareness for Alzheimer’s.

By Denice Thibodeau
Published: October 18, 2008

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A new stamp has been issued by the U.S. Postal Service to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

The stamp shows the profile of an elderly woman with her head bowed and another person’s hand resting on her shoulder.

“It’s a beautiful and poignant stamp, portraying both the patient and the caregiver,” Melanie Vaughan, regional director of the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said Friday during the stamp’s unveiling at Danville’s main post office on Teal Court.

Danville Postmaster Barry F. Perdew said few people are untouched by the disease.

“It’s a heart-breaking disease that affects more than 5 million Americans and their families,” he said.

Vaughan said the issuance of the stamp coincides with the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Memory Walk, which will take place Oct. 25 at the Community Market.

Registration for the walk begins at 8:30 a.m., with the walk starting at 9:45 a.m., but there will be plenty of activities throughout the event.

“You don’t have to walk to participate,” Vaughan said.

The sponsors of the walk will set up booths and information about caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease will be available.

For more information about the walk, visit www.danvillememorywalk2008.kintera.org or call Vaughan at (434) 792-3700, ext. 30.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at dthibodeau@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7985.