May 2, 2005

Chicago, Ill. — Star Trek: Voyager actress Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Janeway uniform, dinner with legendary football coach Mike Ditka, a backstage meeting with country musician Tracy Lawrence, and a chance to tour the set of Alias and meet actor Victor Garber are available for bid as part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s online auction “Rally for Research.” People from around the world will have a unique opportunity to help raise funds for Alzheimer’s research by participating in the auction from May 2-12 at www.ebay.com/rally-for-research.

“Rally for Research” is an extension of the Association’s annual fundraising galas in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and New York, which raise more than $3 million annually for Alzheimer’s research. The online auction is designed to take the message and mission of the Alzheimer’s Association to a broader audience and engage them in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Star Trek: Voyager actress Kate Mulgrew is among the celebrities who have contributed unique packages to the online auction. Mulgrew, who portrayed Captain Kathryn Janeway for seven years, has donated her entire black wool and gabardine Star Trek: Voyager uniform to the auction, including her boots.

Mulgrew is all too familiar with Alzheimer’s – her mother, Joan, suffers from the disease. “I have learned first-hand the debilitating effects Alzheimer’s has on its victims and their families,” said Mulgrew, who is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association National Advisory Council. “Making my Captain Janeway uniform part of the ‘Rally for Research’ will help to raise money for research and create a world without Alzheimer’s.”

In addition to Mulgrew’s Captain Janeway uniform, other leading entertainment and sports celebrities have generously donated items, as well as their time. Auction packages include:

    * The opportunity to meet actor Victor Garber, who plays CIA agent Jack Bristow on the ABC Television hit, Alias. The winning bidder also will receive a guided tour of the Alias set as well as a script signed by the cast;
    * Dinner for four with legendary Chicago Bears football coach Mike Ditka as well as an autographed football;
    * Two VIP tickets for a Tracy Lawrence concert and a chance to go backstage to meet the country music star, and
    * A once-in-a-lifetime private train trip from Minneapolis to Chicago. Cruising through the night in style once only known by the likes of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, the winning bidder will receive dinner for eight served by white-gloved waiters and expert chefs. Each of the train’s cars features rich, wood-grain walls, and authentic railroad china and silverware.

Without a continued commitment to research, the costs of treating people with Alzheimer’s disease will bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid and have a severe impact on our economy and families. Medicare costs for beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s are expected to increase 75 percent to $160 billion, and Medicaid expenditures on residential dementia care will increase 14 percent to $24 billion, by 2010.

About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support, is the first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s. For 25 years, the donor-supported, not-for-profit Alzheimer’s Association has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

May 2005
Cleveland, Ohio -- Kate Mulgrew, actress who played the role of Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager for seven years, gifted her Captain Janeway uniform to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of its 25th Anniversary and to raise funds for research efforts. The uniform will be available for auction on eBay, May 5 –12 at http://www.ebay.com/rally-for-research.  All proceeds from the auction will fund Alzheimer’s research through the national office of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Star Trek: Voyager actress Kate Mulgrew is among the celebrities who have contributed unique packages to the online auction.  Famed Star Trek costumer, Robert Blackman, designed the familiar black uniform made of wool and gabardine, with the cranberry strip across the shoulder, signifying the captain rank.  The boots she wore with the costume are included in the auction.

Mulgrew replaced Genevieve Bujold in 1995 and imbued the iconic character with humanity, grace and grit in her own inimitable style.  Mulgrew made history as the first female captain of a Star Trek series and with the crew of Star Trek: Voyager helped to launch the fledgling UPN television network.

Mulgrew is all too familiar with Alzheimer’s – her mother, Joan, suffers from the disease.  ”I have learned first-hand the debilitating effects Alzheimer’s has on its victims and their families,” said Mulgrew, who is a member of the Alzheimer’s Association National Advisory Council.  As a long-time fundraiser and advocate for the Alzheimer's Association as well as a national spokesperson for the organization, Mulgrew has initiated and actively participated in fundraising events for the Alzheimer's Association.  ”Making my Captain Janeway uniform part of the ’Rally for Research’ will help raise money for research and create a world without Alzheimer’s.”

Kate Mulgrew and husband, Tim Hagan, Cuyahoga County Commissioner, are serving as Honorary Co-Chairs of the 25th Anniversary Gala, on Saturday, May 21, at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. The Corporate Committee Chair is Tom Stevens of Key Bank. Gala Committee Co-Chairs are Nancy Rodeno, Pat Schraff and Chris Stevens. Proceeds from the Gala will provide care and support for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease throughout Northeast Ohio.

Founded in1980 by Dr. Joseph M. Foley and Arlene Ellis Friedman, the Cleveland Area Chapter is the primary source of information and support for individuals and their families in Northeast Ohio, who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. There are approximately 50,000 individuals affected by the disease and another 150,000 family members. 

The Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter offers a broad range of programs and services for individuals with memory loss, their families, and caregivers throughout Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.  The Association also represents the interests of individuals and caregivers on Alzheimer-related issues before federal, state, and local government.

For more information, contact the Alzheimer’s Association Cleveland Area Chapter, 12200 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44120 or visit www.alzclv.org.