Sep 05, 2003
(Bellwood, Ill., September 5, 2003) - A touchdown this season by Terrell
Owens of the San Francisco 49ers now counts for more than six points.
Sharpie®, the popular brand of permanent markers, is pledging $500 for
every touchdown the All-Pro wide receiver scores in an effort to raise
money for the Alzheimers Association in Northern California/Northern
Nevada.
Owens, recently named the 2003 Memory Walk celebrity team chair for the
association's local chapter, has been a key spokesperson promoting
Alzheimer research, including testifying in front of a United States
Senate Committee earlier this year. Owens' grandmother is battling the
disease.
"I am happy that Sharpie sees the importance of supporting this cause
that is so close to me," said Owens. "This will make scoring TDs even
more satisfying since the donations will help people just like my
grandmother."
"Alzheimer's disease is now an American epidemic," said Alzheimer's
Association CEO for Northern California/Northern Nevada William Fisher.
"By 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's is expected to
explode by 300 percent, when 16 million will have it. This
extraordinary crisis calls for extraordinary resources. As a family
member and star wide receiver for the 49ers, Terrell Owens is doing his
part. The commitment by Sharpie not only brings funding to the national
movement to defeat Alzheimer's, it also raises public awareness in a
meaningful way. We thank them, and Terrell Owens, for the support."
During the holiday season last year, Sharpie donated $25,000 to the
Alzheimer's Association. In July of this year, Owens and Sharpie kicked
off the Sharpie Metallic "Autographs for Education" program to support
community-based education, where up to $30,000 in funds and school
supplies will be distributed. The program visits San Francisco in
October.
"Sharpie is bold and expressive just like Terrell," said Greg Stoner,
vice president and general manager for Sharpie. "With the help of
Terrell, together we can make a permanent mark on disease research and
education."
About the Alzheimer's Association
The largest private funder of Alzheimer research, the Alzheimer's
Association has during the past twenty years committed more than $136
million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention and cure
of Alzheimer's. For more information about Alzheimer's disease and
efforts to find a cure, the public in Northern California/Northern
Nevada may contact the Alzheimer's Association (800-660-1993;
www.alznorcal.org).