The MetLife Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) and 11 of its member associations around the world. The money will be used for educational training and to raise awareness prior to World Alzheimer's Day on September 21.
"MetLife Foundation is pleased to support this program, which will help people around the world better understand Alzheimer's disease and its impact on families and caregivers," said Sibyl Jacobson, president of the MetLife Foundation.
In addition to ADI, the grant will benefit member associations in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom.
"We are delighted that this grant will benefit so many of our member organizations. This unique grant acknowledges that Alzheimer's is a global disease without social or economic boundaries and that millions of people need immediate support," said Marc Wortmann, Executive Director of ADI.
Each year on September 21 caregivers, associations and those with Alzheimer's around the world organize activities to heighten awareness of the disease.
There are an estimated 30 million cases of dementia worldwide, of which Alzheimer's accounts for 60 percent to 70 percent. Some estimate this number will rise to 100 million by 2050.
There is currently no cure for the disease, a degenerative illness that attacks the brain.
MetLife Foundation, established by MetLife in 1976, awards grants to support health, education, civic and cultural programs.