We CAN Alzheimer’s Awareness Public Service
Campaign Debuts in Tallahassee

Fourth District AAF Governor Nairn' B. Gillet addresses press conference launching the District's new public service campaign as 4AAF Public Service Chair Steve Smith (2nd from right) listens. Photo (c)212 David R. Randell Photographics

The We CAN public service campaign kicked off with high-spirits and high-level political support that combined to produce a high-visibility news conference during the Ad Fed’s January 24, 2012 “Advertising Day in Tallahassee” event.

AAF-Fourth District Governor Nairn’ Gillet presided over the news conference, which drew about 50 AAF members to the fourth floor of the state capitol near the entrance to the Florida House of Representatives. We were joined for the kick-off by lawmakers and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute CEO Dr. David Morgan. The lawmakers on hand included Senator Ronda Storms and Representatives Rachel Burgin, Richard Glorioso and Shawn Harrison.

The news conference highlighted the timeliness and effectiveness behind the campaign’s message. You can view a two-minute segment of the news conference shot by a Sunshine State News reporter at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7aCrBesji8.

Sunshine State News Executive Editor Nancy Smith interviewed Dr. Morgan following the news conference and the next day crafted a thoughtful column on Alzheimer’s. (http://www.sunshinestatenews.com)

“Facing Florida with Mike Vasilinda,” a statewide talk news show, produced a six-minute segment on Alzheimer’s as a result of this campaign rollout.

Why Alzheimer’s?

In the next 25 years, more than 10 million people in the United States could develop Alzheimer’s disease, more than double the current number. This year, as the first of the “Baby Boomers” celebrate birthday 65, the disease that stole our parents and grandparents is swiftly becoming a health crisis facing boomers in Florida and all across the U.S. And so, this historic, trend-setting, barrier breaking generation may also come to be known as “Generation Alzheimer’s.”

Our aggressive, district-wide public service campaign carries the message: Cure Alzheimer’s Now. The committee has developed a Web site – www.WeCanFL.org, and a multi-media campaign – print, broadcast, outdoor, media relations and social media – in which all District AAF chapters can participate.

Our objective is to drive support to Alzheimer’s community care organizations throughout Florida, and to send the message to our legislators that Florida needs to be a leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

The We CAN campaign is co-chaired by 2011-2012 Public Service Chairman Steve Smith, and Melanie Meyer. Smith is President of Sarasota-based Stephen A. Smith & Associates Advertising. Meyer is External Affairs Director at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute. Committee members include John Wark, Mike Weber and Michael Campos.