Alzheimer’s stamp to be released

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — At 11 a.m. Tuesday, the Youngstown Post Office, 99 S. Walnut Street, will unveil the 42-cent Alzheimer’s commemorative stamp in a public dedication to help raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.

The new stamp is part of the Postal Service Social Awareness stamp series and will be released nationally Friday.

“With the Alzheimer’s Awareness commemorative stamp, we are asking Americans to use the power of mail to raise awareness about this tragic disease,” said Youngstown Postmaster Veronica Rice.

Speakers at the Youngstown dedication ceremony will include Pam Schuellerman, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Chapter; and Tina Goynes, family service coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Chapter. The ceremony is open to the general public.

For the stamp image, art director Ethel Kessler worked with illustrator Matt Mahurin to draw attention to the importance of caregivers in the lives of those who have the disease, according to a postal service press release.

An estimated 5 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. People suffering from Alzheimer’s-related dementia have trouble carrying out daily activities.

The disease initially affects the parts of the brain that control language, thought and memory. Symptoms may include asking the same question repeatedly, becoming lost in familiar places or disoriented in familiar routines, and ignoring personal safety, hygiene and nutrition. As the disease progresses, perceptual, language, functional and motor skills deteriorate.

The Alzheimer’s Awareness commemorative stamp continues the postal service tradition of raising public awareness of health and social issues through its stamp program.

Recent stamps have highlighted important issues such as literacy, hospice care, breast cancer awareness, AIDS awareness, organ and tissue donation, and philanthropy; and, in the case of the Breast Cancer Research stamp, helped raise funds for research.