"Every year we are continually impressed by the commitment and dedication Canadians show in supporting our vital services for the many people with Alzheimer's or a related disease." says Kelly Duffin, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Canada.

The Alzheimer Society thanks the thousands of generous people who united across the country to make their coffee count last fall in support of Canadians affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

The 15th annual Alzheimer Coffee Break^® raised over $1.3 million in 2009. The funds raised contribute to improving the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease and their families by helping to fund critical programs and services offered through Alzheimer Societies nationwide. None of this could be possible without the support of our generous sponsors, Bulk Barn Foods Limited; The Giant Tiger Stores Limited, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies, Kent Building Supplies, Pacrim Hospitality and Sara Lee Corporation for their in-kind coffee donation.

The Power of Canadians

It takes only one dedicated person to get a grassroots movement growing and to mobilize a community. When many citizens join together and show support, our message of Help for today. Hope for tomorrow resonates loud and clear.

The first findings of a study undertaken by the Alzheimer Society on the prevalence and impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia in Canada - Rising Tide – indicates that 500,000 Canadians currently have dementia and that if nothing changes over 1 million Canadians will have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia within 25 years. The time to act is now. The Alzheimer Society therefore calls on all Canadians to make their coffee count in support of the individuals in their community living with Alzheimer’s disease. And they can now do so all year round through our virtual coffee break website: www.alzheimercoffeebreak.ca.

Corporate Social Responsibility - The Power of Employees and Customers

Did you know?

• 3% of Canadian businesses claimed charitable donations totalling $1 billion in 2003
• 71% of businesses either support or accommodate employee volunteering

Regardless of the size or type of organization you work for, employers and their employees can make a significant contribution to the well-being of communities through their philanthropic initiatives.

Start the dialogue within your workplace about how your organization could support the Alzheimer Coffee Break^® through employee-based events or by engaging your customers.

The Alzheimer Society would like thank the following corporate sponsors for honouring and supporting the citizens of their communities by supporting the Alzheimer Society’s Coffee Break^® fundraiser: Pfizer Canada Inc., Joey's Only Seafood Restaurants, Giant Tiger and The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies for their ongoing participation in the Alzheimer Coffee Break^® campaign. Also central to the event are the gifts-in-kind provided by Sara Lee Corporation.

We are especially impressed by the efforts of Bulk Barns across Canada, who promoted the Coffee Break^® events in-store, encouraging their customers to donate to the Alzheimer Society. Bulk Barn alone brought in over $171,000.

To find out how your company can boost its corporate profile in the community and give back to its citizens, click here.

To receive on-going information about Alzheimer’s disease and the work of the Alzheimer Society, subscribe to our Quarterly E-Newsletter.

To find out how you can help the Alzheimer Society support your community, contact contact us at your regional or local Alzheimer Society.