Staff Reports
Florida’s Historic Capitol will “turn” purple Tuesday evening, part of a special ceremony with lawmakers to celebrate the annual Alzheimer’s Association State Advocacy Day on Wednesday.
“Nearly 80 advocates from all over the state of Florida – including caregivers and those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s – will be visiting their legislators throughout Wednesday to (ask) for increased state research funding, support services, education programs, cultural outreach and increased respite care services,” the group said in a statement.
Before that, purple lights will be shown on the old Capitol starting at 6 p.m. “to bring concern and awareness to Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of death in America,” the statement said.
The state of Florida has the second highest incidence rate in the country: More than 500,000 Floridians live with Alzheimer’s, according to the association.
“As our Congress just passed a $350 million increase in research funding, we’re looking for Florida to also take up the yoke and raise concern and awareness, as well as funding,” Alzheimer’s Association CEO Kay Redington said.
For more information about the state advocacy day in Tallahassee, call 1-800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/cnfl.
