Still Tops after all these years…
Parma Hospital raises record amount
for the Alzheimer’s Association

The economic downturn has not curbed the generosity of the Parma Community General Hospital family. Parma Hospital raised $13,818 for the Alzheimer’s Association in 2008, topping all previous records and maintaining the honor of Top Team for 12 consecutive years. The top individual fundraiser also had a Parma Hospital connection: Jim Prinz, whose wife belongs to the Hospital’s ElderCenter’s Club program for adults with mild memory loss.

“This is absolutely wonderful, and we are so proud of our team,” said Parma Hospital President & CEO Patricia A. Ruflin, who served as honorary chairman of the 2008 Memory Walk. The October 5 event in downtown Cleveland drew 1,475 walkers and raised over $240,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.

“We are so grateful for the many years of support we have received from the staff and friends of Parma Community General Hospital,” says Nancy B. Udelson, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association’s Cleveland Area Chapter. “What’s really exciting is that the hospital makes this a year-round fundraising effort that involves people throughout the hospital in furthering our mission. We value our relationship with the hospital and its staff, which allows us to provide care and support to families in the Parma area who are dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.”

Parma Hospital’s fund-raising efforts were off to a sizzling start in June with the 9th Annual Spaghetti Cook-off. Every penny of the $2,555 raised went to the Alzheimer’s Association to benefit patients and their families suffering from this debilitating disease. Nine area assisted living facilities, from Parma, Parma Heights, North Royalton and Berea, made sauces for judging by the public. Area senior centers and civic groups supported the event with volunteer staff.

In September, Parma Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Association co-sponsored a four-part educational series on understanding memory loss. Laura Matthews, manager of Parma Hospital’s ElderCenter adult day care and leader of the Hospital’s fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association, reported 168 people attended the first session alone – a significant increase from the previous year.

“We are witnessing the growing needs and numbers of families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease,” says Matthews. “We have had the privilege to partner with the Alzheimer’s Association to address these needs with programming, resources and education, and we know their value. We are grateful to all who helped us raise money for this important cause.”

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