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Cape Cod’s Only Independent Alzheimer’s Non-Profit Creates COVID-Safe Fundraising Event in October Brewster, MA— The Alzheimer’s Family Support Center of Cape Cod (AFSC) has celebrated its annual Walk for Alzheimer’s in Provincetown every October since the non-profit’s founding six years ago. Last year, the Walk had to be cancelled due to COVID. Sadly, this year as well. AFSC has worked hard over time to be a national role model for pandemics, both COVID as well as Alzheimer’s, sicknesses and killers that respect no demographic bounds such as race, color or gender. “We’re all in this together in all ways,” said AFSC co-founder and Executive Director Dr. Molly Perdue, PhD. Thus, this year the all-free, non-profit Cape-wide AFSC is bringing its signature fundraising event back with a twist – on Saturday Oct. 16th and Sunday Oct. 17th, activities will be offered online through Zoom, with opportunities for people to participate safely from wherever they are. AFSC Board Member Patricia Raney, MD, notes, “Because many of those we serve, who support us and are involved with our community events, are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than the general population, and because the pattern of clusters of infection remains unpredictable at this time, we feel it is important for our organization to change course.” Adds Dr. Perdue, “Our first responsibility to our community is to support families and individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases in every way possible, keeping them safe. Secondly, we must continue to provide the free Alzheimer’s/dementia services they need. Changing how we do our fundraising walk this year allows us to achieve both these goals.” The annual walk in Provincetown has likely been the only “dementia-friendly” walk in the region, with all participants wearing name tags, trolleys available for those with limitations, and a variety of appropriate fun activities that have made it a highlight in the social lives of scores of Alzheimer’s/dementia families. This year on Saturday, October 16th, the AFSC will offer an Alzheimer’s Cultural Day with a range of free virtual events including a reading and live Q & A with author Lisa Genova (Still Alice, Remember), who will be introduced by Mindy Todd, host of WCAI’s/NPR, “The Point”; music from the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra; and a sneak preview of the new documentary “Have You Heard About Greg?”, an intimate profile of career journalist Greg O’Brien, author of the international award-winning “On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s”. The screening will be followed by a live conversation with O’Brien, the film’s director Steve Ecclesine and others. A variety of live and recorded entertainment will follow on Zoom with beloved local favorites, including Sarah Swain and Chandler Travis, among others. On Sunday, October 17th, the community can still walk to support AFSC’s free services. There will be several hubs set up around the Cape where walkers can safely connect, pick up t-shirts, and deliver donations. AFSC Co-founder and Cultural Director Melanie Braverman says, “We’ll give you walking maps with ideas for where you can stroll. You can even walk in your own neighborhood or back yard. And now our many AFSC community members who live beyond the Cape will be able to attend all of our events and contribute to funding the AFSC’s array of free services.” Details about walk hubs, results of the Walk t-shirt design contest, and information about how to participate, donate and create a team is available at www.alzheimerscapecod.org, or call 508-896-5170. As former Alzheimer’s caregiver George Zebrowski says: “AFSC’s annual fundraiser walk in Provincetown has meant a lot to my late wife, Marsha, and me. It was a way to support this organization that the Cape is so fortunate to have, but it was also a day that Marsha enjoyed seeing friends and listening to music. Please join me in donating to this important group so that others Alzheimer’s journeys can be made more manageable.” This year’s AFSC Walk events are sponsored by the generous contributions of the following: • Broad Reach Health Care • The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod • Charles Case Estate Law • Cosmos Catering • Friends of Brewster Elders • Friends of Harwich Seniors • Harbor Point/Benchmark • AskLeeAsh.com • The Michael J. Cole Foundation • Seamen’s Bank Created by caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Family Support Center (AFSC) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides free support referrals, education and social connection services for the Cape’s Alzheimer’s/dementia community. For more information, please contact Melanie Braverman at (508) 896-5170 or email at support@capecodalz.org.