ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' Highlights Giving to the Alzheimer's Association

ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' Highlights Giving to the Alzheimer's Association

Web Site for Television Couple Follows Trend of Donating to Charity for Wedding Celebrations

CHICAGO, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Grey's Anatomy" fans can support their favorite show in a unique way this season by signing up to be Alzheimer's Champions and donating to the Alzheimer's Association. Following a trend of incorporating charity in wedding celebrations, a wedding Web site created for "Grey's Anatomy" couple Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek Sheperd (Patrick Dempsey) includes a gift registry that directs friends and family (a.k.a. fans of the show) to the Alzheimer's Association for donations instead of traditional department store gift registries. (http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/MeredithGrey&DerekShepherd)

According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy* 10 percent of couples planning weddings are incorporating charitable elements into their celebrations, and this popular television couple is illustrating the trend. The Alzheimer's Association has created a page dedicated to Meredith and Derek, www.alz.org/Meredith_and_Derek, similar to a page that real couples would create for their own wedding celebrations to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. To illustrate Meredith and Derek's personal connection and selection of the Alzheimer's Association as a charity of choice, their page features photos of Kate Burton, Alzheimer's Champion and actress who played Meredith Grey's mother, Ellis Grey, who had younger-onset Alzheimer's disease before the character's death in season three.

On their Alzheimer's Association page, family, friends and fans of Meredith and Derek have the option to donate to the Alzheimer's Association in lieu of gifts and sign-up to be Alzheimer's Champions to learn more about getting active in the fight against Alzheimer's.

"As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and nearly 200,000 people under age 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer's disease, like the character of Ellis Grey," said Angela Geiger, chief strategy officer, Alzheimer's Association. "We applaud Grey's Anatomy producers and ABC for recognizing the need for increased awareness and funding for Alzheimer's disease, and showing how couples can plan their wedding with a philanthropic twist to benefit the Alzheimer's Association."

While the storyline remains under wraps, according to the couple's Web site, the wedding date is set for May 14, 2009. The Alzheimer's Association will be celebrating with the couple as they invite family, friends and fans to visit www.alz.org/Meredith_and_Derek and take action against Alzheimer's.

About the Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer 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. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

*Chronicle of Philanthropy, To Have and to Give, June 1, 2006

Source: Alzheimer's Association

CONTACT: Kate Meyer of Alzheimer's Association, o: +1-312-604-2435, m:
+1-312-714-2769, kate.meyer@alz.org

Web Site: http://www.alz.org/

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