NEW YORK, NY—Nearly 500 young professionals and others interested in the cause from the New York metropolitan area—many of whom have experienced Alzheimer’s disease in their families—gathered on October 15 at Arena in Manhattan for the 5^th annual “For the Love of George,” a cocktail party to support the programs and services of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).

   The sell-out crowd included actress Susan Lucci, who lent
 her celebrity to the cause by being part of an auction item: a
12-person dinner party at her house.

    The “George” event, hosted by the AFA New York Junior Committee, featured live entertainment by dance groove band Booga Sugar and a live auction emceed by Duncan H. Scheib,
a renowned auctioneer from Australia. Other top auction items included the opportunity for a child to be ball boy or ball girl at a New York Knick’s game, and a package of six rounds of golf at exclusive New York golf courses.

    Scheib, who has called hundreds of auctions since his first one at age 12, said he was personally touched by the opportunity to volunteer at the AFA event since his grandfather had Alzheimer’s disease and passed away last August.

    Alex and Chris Barnet, the co-chairs of the AFA New York Junior Committee, created the event to honor their grandfather, George R. Irvin, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2002. Irvin, 81, of Quogue, NY and North Palm Beach, FL, passed away in February of 2008.

    “For the Love of George” has since garnered the support of young professionals and others dedicated to the cause in cities across the country as a tribute to Irvin and the millions of Americans affected by the brain disorder. This month, AFA also held cocktail parties in Chicago and Nashville, and the event will be debuting in Toronto and Boston in the coming weeks.

   “Year after year, the number of people who turn out in support of this event continues to grow—a true testament to the fact that this disease continues to impact families and people of all ages everywhere,” said Eric J. Hall, AFA’s president and chief executive officer.

    Currently, as many as 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 320,000 New Yorkers, and the incidence is expected to escalate in line with the nation’s aging population. Age is the greatest risk factor for the disease, which causes loss of memory and other intellectual functions and is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.