The Association of Relatives and Patients with Alzheimer's and other Dementias AFA Vive has organized an extensive program of activities for World Alzheimer's Day, commemorated on September 21st. The Councilor for Citizen Participation of the Martos City Council, Gema Lara, accompanied the president of AFA Vive, Carolina Aguilera, and the social worker, María José Molina, at the presentation of this initiative.
The main objective of these activities, running from this week until the end of September, is to raise public awareness, highlight the reality faced by individuals affected by this disease and their families, and collect funds to support the entity's services. The councilwoman reaffirmed the municipal support for AFA Vive's work, emphasizing the need to fund new treatments and assist families dealing with such a devastating illness.
Gema Lara highlighted AFA Vive's comprehensive work, benefiting both users and their families, and praised the participatory and intergenerational nature of the planned events. These include a meeting with students from IES Fernando III, a talk on Martos' heritage by the City Council's Culture department, and an open house.
Citizens are encouraged to visit the AFA Vive headquarters on Thursday, September 17th, starting at 5:30 PM, to learn about the association's work and participate in a social afternoon featuring a performance by the Agrupación Musical Maestro Soler. The councilwoman also emphasized the traditional charity gala, thanking Martos residents for their ongoing solidarity.
“"NO is no longer an answer"
This year's slogan, “NO is no longer an answer,” is a call to denounce the difficulties in accessing innovative new treatments. Carolina Aguilera explained that these treatments, the result of years of research, can help slow the disease's progression and improve the quality of life for affected individuals. She expressed gratitude for the involvement of institutions, companies, businesses, members, and volunteers.
The program includes various activities: on Tuesday, September 15th, animal therapy; on Wednesday, September 16th, a talk on Martos' heritage by Ana Cabello; on Thursday, September 17th, a Reiki session and the open house. On Friday, September 18th, IES Fernando III students will participate in an intergenerational activity, and an information booth will be set up at the health center.
On Saturday, September 19th, a solidarity stand will be held, followed by the traditional AFA Vive Solidarity Gala in the afternoon at the Municipal Theater Maestro Álvarez Alonso, featuring performances by Mago Pán, Vicente Gallardo, Samuel Colmenero, and Antonio Pamo. Tickets are available at the AFA Vive headquarters, the solidarity stand, and the theater box office.
Activities will continue on Wednesday, September 23rd, with a talk on Alzheimer's prevention and health at the Casa de la Juventud. Finally, on Wednesday, September 30th, a talk focused on caregiving will be held at the same venue, concluding the special program.
