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LEEZA'S PLACE BY WELLMED PHYSICIAN'S HEALTH CHOICE TO HOST CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL

Friday, November 6th, 2009


Event Coincides with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Caregivers Awareness Month

     

Mega Metropolis Health & Fitness

          Edinburg, Texas — As the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease continues to climb, communities across the country will light “candles of care” throughout November to remember those who have passed from the brain disorder and others living with it.    

 

          Leeza’s Place by WellMed Physicians Health Choice will hold its candle lighting ceremony at Leeza’s Place located at 5401 S. McColl Rd. in Edinburg, Texas beginning at 5:30 p.m. on November 19. The ceremony will feature a candle lighting, sharing of fond memories, a spiritual message and uplifting music. For more information, call 956-683-7180.

 

          Leeza’s Place by WellMed Physicians Health Choice has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, who has been sponsoring this annual event for seven years, and locally with the Area Agency on Aging of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council to bring this event to the Rio Grande Valley.  Organizations from coast to coast will similarly hold inspirational ceremonies during the month of November.

 

          “These ceremonies foster a strong sense of community and are very therapeutic for families who have been affected by this heartbreaking disease,” said Eric J. Hall, AFA’s president and chief executive officer from his office in New York, NY.  “Moreover, the event powerfully calls attention to the need to join together to press for optimal care in addition to a cure.”


          Alzheimer’s Disease, which results in loss of memory and other intellectual functions, currently affects an estimated 2.4 million to 4.5 million Americans. It is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. 

 

          Furthermore, a recent study reveals that nearly one in two Americans has a chronic illness, and more than 75 cents of every dollar spent on healthcare in the U.S. is spent treating patients with one or more chronic diseases we can clearly see that behind every person with a chronic disease they might be one and more family caregivers, and that caregiving indeed has a pricey tag.

 

          Letty Q. Sanchez, Care Advocate at Leeza’s Place acknowledged that this Candle Lighting is meant to be a local initiative to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and related illnesses and to highlight the support, sacrifice, love, and commitment of each family caregiver who tends to the daily care of those with a chronic and progressive disorder. 

 

          “We have family caregivers balancing work, caregiving, own health issues, and raising families; that is not an easy task” she affirmed.

          Leeza’s Place is the signature program of the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation. 

 

          It is a standalone non-for- profit agency that serves as a community resource center for family caregivers to those with chronic and progressive illnesses such as Parkinson, Alzheimer’s, Brain Injury, Stroke, Cancer, etc. Its services include programs that offer support on three levels – emotional, educational, social – for family caregivers and their recently diagnosed loved ones.  For more information about Leeza’s Place please call 956-683-7180.

 

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