By Karen Cohilas - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Every 71 seconds, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. One out of four 40 year olds will feel the effects of the disease 25 years from now.
What a day for a game of golf, and for shedding a ray of light, on a very dark disease.
Alzheimer's is now the 6th leading cause of death now in America. That's why the Alzheimer's Association held the 12th annual forget-me-not Golf Tournament at Doublegate Country Club in Albany. Even in the tough economy, it will be the most successful year for raising money.
"We've been told no more times than we ever though we'd be told no, because of the economy, but that didn't stop us. We kept calling and kept calling."
They are hoping to raise $22,000 during the tournament. And they hope to raise awareness, too.
"Each of the golf balls represents a person who is diagnosed," said Nancy Goode of the Alzheimer's Association.
Every 71 seconds, it's Dawn Futrill's job to place a golf ball in this canister. A visual reminder of how many people the disease impacts.
"It's scary. You think of the states, every 71 seconds, you could very well be the next one diagnosed," she said.
"By the time we finish today, they'll be over 200 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, in just one day. It is something that we are working on a cure for. We hope to have one very soon," said Goode.
"We just keep having tournaments and we keep having pageants to raise money to find a cure, and we hope one day we do."
Hitting a hole in one, to find a cure for the millions impacted by the disease.
In addition to the golf tournament, there is a putting contest going on right now. The winner takes home $10,000.
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