Sept 21 World Alzheimer's Day

September 21, World Alzheimer's Day, is less a day of celebration and more a day of fundraising and raising awareness of the debilitating disease yet it is no less important than other global holidays. On World Alzheimer's Day, organizations around the world concentrate their efforts on raising awareness about Alzheimer's and dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. According to research statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 18 million people worldwide have Alzheimer's disease. By 2025, this estimate is projected to grow to 34 million people, with the highest increase expected among developing countries.

In a twist of fate, it occurs on the same day as International Day of Peace, and shares a similar goal, to bring some measure peace to the sufferers and their caretakers. Some organizations call the day "Alzheimer's Action Day" and the entire month of September has also been proclaimed "World Alzheimer's Month" with a focus on campaigning to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma associated with the disease.

Numerous activities in many countries take place on World Alzheimer's Day and throughout the month of September to help raise awareness, remove stigmas, and educate individuals, families, caregivers and public policy makers about the Alzheimer disease. Activities include wearing purple on September 21, speaking out against stigma, changing Facebook and Twitter profiles to purple, running in special marathons to raise money, walking for awareness, blogging and podcasting about the disease, writing legislators and policy-makers to increase funding support and safety measures, and offering financial support to local, national, and global organizations.