IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alzheimer Society of Ontario and Second Life Library 2.0 launch exhibit on Alzheimer’s disease

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) is adding its voice to the Second Life community by hosting Remember Us, a special photo exhibit on Thursday, December 14, 5:00 p.m. SLT at Info Island II (Info Island II 38,69,24). That makes it the first Canadian health charity to tap into Second Life.

In partnership with the Second Life Library 2.0 and with the assistance of curator Shadow Fugazi and emerging media consultant, Wayne MacPhail, Remember Us will feature compelling black and white photographs aimed at drawing attention to Alzheimer’s disease that continues to grow by leaps and bounds worldwide as the population ages.

The dramatic images, by Canadian photojournalist Cathie Coward, will adorn the walls of the Info Island Exhibit and Displays building and will bring the many faces and stories of Alzheimer’s to the residents of Second Life and encourage them to donate Linden dollars. The ASO will use the proceeds for future development of an educational space in Second Life.

The exhibit will also feature a unique podcast listening station which will play the award-winning Talk for Memories podcast series the Society created as part of their 2006 Alzheimer’s Awareness Campaign. Visitors to the exhibit will also have the opportunity to watch Coffee and Prayers, a 20-minute video documentary that captures the impact of the disease through a caregiver’s inspiring story. Brain games and other brain health activities will also complement the exhibit.

“Second Life is a rich social environment full of creative, curious citizens of the world,” enthuses Madelyn Herschorn, ASO’s Director, Marketing and Communications, whose avatar is Millicent Holsworthy. “We’re embracing new media such as Second Life, because of its community-building potential and collaborative spirit. The possibilities for Alzheimer’s education, awareness and even fundraising are staggering.”

Remember Us is a precursor to the Society’s January 2007 Alzheimer’s Awareness Campaign – Heads Up for Healthier Brains -, and is a first in a series of virtual initiatives it plans to launch in Second Life.

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario, founded in 1983, supports a province-wide network of 39 member societies to improve service and care, fund and advance research, educate the communities it serves, create awareness and mobilize support for the disease. The Society’s vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. For more information, visit www.alzheimerontario.org

Rosanne Meandro
Coordinator, Marketing and Communications
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
1200 Bay Street, Ste. 202
Toronto, ON, M5R 2A5
Email rmeandro at alzheimeront.org
Website www.alzheimerontario.org
(Society created as part of their 2006 Alzheimer’s Awareness Campaign)

This entry was posted on Friday, December 8th, 2006 at 9:27 am and is filed under Exhibits. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.