News Release
Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter
9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-3214
For more information, contact
Lindy Noel, Communications & Marketing Coordinator
lnoel@alz.org | 314.801.0416
For Immediate Release
Webster University’s Chess Team Fights Back to End Alzheimer’s
Susan Polgar Institute of Chess Excellence at Webster University partners with the Alzheimer’s Association® to Honor those Living with Alzheimer’s and their Caregivers
SAINT LOUIS (March 18, 2016) – In order to play chess, it is important to be able to focus, calculate and be strategic in every move. For someone with Alzheimer’s disease, this would be a difficult task. For the first year, the Susan Polgar Institute of Chess Excellence (SPICE) at Webster University & the Susan Polgar Foundation are hosting Checkmate Alzheimer’s as part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s event, The Longest Day®. The event will bring together youth, collegiate and adult players for a variety of fun chess events.
The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset event to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Teams complete a day filled with activity to raise funds and awareness for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Longest Day symbolizes the seemingly endless journey so many facing Alzheimer’s disease are asked to endure.
While chess supports early education by helping students with critical thinking, problem solving and spatial skills, there is also strong evidence that games like chess may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
SPICE has formed a team and is hosting a day of chess. The event will take place on April 9 from 12:30 -6 p.m. at Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence, Webster University – Luhr Building located at 475 E. Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, MO 63119.
The day will include two sections:
- Youth Tournament: 12:30-3 p.m.
$10 cash only donation at door
Register by April 1 by emailing your name, age and phone number to bobrown@alz.org.
- Grandmaster Challenge: 3:30-6 p.m.
$50 credit card or Paypal donation online
Register by April 1 by donating $50 to Team SPICE at http://act.alz.org/goto/spice
Team Captain Susan Polgar said the chess community wants to support the Alzheimer’s Association because Alzheimer’s is a feared disease.
“Chess is a thinking game that takes a lot of brain power. The chess community is fortunate that we can still play a game we love, and Alzheimer’s has not taken away our ability to play,” added Polgar. “The SPICE team wants to honor those who are touched by this disease and fight back.”
Checkmate Alzheimer’s is proudly presented by Ascension.
“Checkmate Alzheimer’s is a great way for the community to come together and challenge their brain while honoring those affected by Alzheimer’s disease,” said Nick Ragone, Esq., Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Ascension. “We are proud to support this event and raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease in our community.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and this number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association® 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.
Space is limited. To support the SPICE team with a donation or join a game, visit alz.org/thelongestday and search Team SPICE. To start your own team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world leader in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The St. Louis Chapter, a proud United Way member agency, serves 38 counties in eastern Missouri and western Illinois, providing comprehensive care and support programs. The Alzheimer’s Association mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. For additional information about the disease, family support or research, visit the Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter web site at www.alz.org/stl, or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.