Local News Releases and Media Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Name
Date (O) xxx-xxx-xxxx
(C) xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
Release No. xx-xxx
[Insert City] Post Office Invites Community to New Postage Stamp
Unveiling to Highlight Alzheimer’s Awareness
Public Service Announcement for Radio
[Insert city] — Postmaster [insert name] invites everyone to [insert location] to participate in a celebration recognizing the importance of “knowing more about Alzheimer’s disease” on [insert day and date] from [insert time] to [insert time].
The program includes participation by [insert name of organization or celebrity] in the Postal Service’s™ unveiling ceremony for the new Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp. Other activities include [describe activities].
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, today an estimated five million Americans live with this disease. Persons suffering from Alzheimer’s related-dementia have trouble carrying out daily activities. As the disease progresses, perceptual, language, functional and motor skills deteriorate. It makes a tremendous impact on individuals, caregivers and society. Take a moment to join members of your community in focusing attention on this important social issue.
To help recognize the warning signs, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a list of the ten common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease:
1. Memory loss.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
3. Problems with language.
4. Disorientation to time and place.
5. Poor or decreased judgment.
6. Problems with abstract thinking.
7. Misplacing things.
8. Changes in mood or behavior.
9. Changes in personality.
10. Loss of initiative.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, contact the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center (www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org).
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Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS® Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service® is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Name
Date (O) xxx-xxx-xxxx
(C) xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
Release No. 07-xxx
Alzheimer’s Awareness Postage Stamp Issued by the
U.S. Postal Service
[Insert city] — Alzheimer’s awareness will be the focus of attention on [insert date] when the U.S. Postal Service® and [insert organization/celebrity] [unveil (dedicate)] the Alzheimer’s Awareness commemorative postage stamp during a ceremony at [insert location]. The 42-cent stamp is now available at Post Offices™ nationwide.
[Insert city] Postmaster [insert postmaster’s name] will unveil the stamp to recognize the importance of knowing more about Alzheimer’s disease in an effort to help raise awareness. Joining [insert postmaster’s name] at the ceremony will be insert organization/celebrity or local/area dignitaries].
[Insert other notable happenings at the event].
“We believe this stamp will go a long way in helping spread the word about how important it is for everyone to know about this devastating disease,” said [insert postmaster’s last name]. “The Postal Service is proud to continue its tradition as a community leader in highlighting health and social issues.” November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month.
With the issuance of the Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp, the Postal Service™ continues its long-standing tradition of raising awareness of social issues. Stamps such as Breast Cancer Research, Adoption and Children’s Health have helped stimulate conversation about these serious topics in communities from coast to coast. These activities go hand in hand with the Postal Service’s historic role as a community leader.
Experts estimate that more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. People suffering with Alzheimer’s have trouble carrying out daily activities. The disease initially affects the parts of the brain that control language, thought and memory. It is the most common form of dementia among older people.
Art director Ethel Kessler worked with illustrator Matt Mahurin to draw attention to the importance of the caregiver for those who have Alzheimer’s disease. “For the person with Alzheimer’s,” Kessler says, “that interaction with the caregiver means everything.” Three words — care, support, research — appear in the selvage in the upper right corner of the stamp sheet.
To see the Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp, go to the Postal Store® at http://shop.usps.com, click Stamps and then 42-Cent First-Class. To see other 2008 stamps click Stamps. All current stamps, philatelic products and gift items are available by calling, toll free, 800-STAMP-24 or 800-782-6724.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, contact the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center (www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org).
# # #
Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS® Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.
An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service® is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation — 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.
Date Media Contact: Name
(O) xxx-xxx-xxxx
(C) xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
Contact: Name
(O) xxx-xxx-xxxx
(C) xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
[Insert City] Post Office Invites Community to Recognize Alzheimer’s
Awareness to be Highlighted on New Stamp
WHAT: In honor of the issuance of the Alzheimer’s Awareness postage stamp, the [insert city] Post Office™ is hosting a community celebration. The event is free and open to everyone.
WHO: [Insert names and titles of event participants]
WHEN: [Insert date and time]
WHERE: [Insert name of location and complete address]
BACKGROUND: November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. With the Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp, the U.S. Postal Service® continues its long-standing tradition of raising awareness of social issues. The stamp serves to signal to the impact this disease has made and will continue to make on our society. It also serves as a reminder to everyone to know the warning signs of this disease and to encourage early detection. It is our hope that this stamp will help raise awareness about how devastating this disease is, as well as reminding the public that there still is no cure.
A pane of 20 stamps will be issued nationwide on October 17. Information on the back of the stamp pane informs customers that “Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. The disease affects millions of men and women over 60 years of age; each case poses a special challenge to caregivers. No cure exists at present, but scientists around the world are conducting research in hopes of preventing or halting the progression of the disease. The relationship of people with AD and their caregivers remains of vital importance to the well-being and long-term prospects of the patient. For more information on AD and groups that provide education and support for caregivers and family members, go to www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/.”
To see the Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp, go to the Postal Store® at http://shop.usps.com, click Stamps and 42-Cents First-Class. To see other 2008 stamps click Stamps.
All current stamps, philatelic products and gift items are available by calling, toll free, 800-STAMP-24 or 800-782-6724.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, contact the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center (www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org).
