Newswise ATLANTA (October 1, 2012) The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) announces today is the first day of nationwide October Lewy body dementia awareness month, A Month To Remember. LBDA invited volunteers to join the awareness movement by Standing Strong with LBDA to build awareness for Lewy body dementia in their communities all month long. The LBD Awareness Movement is a national, grass roots effort to increase LBD awareness in the general public and medical profession. Participants in the movement are getting involved with LBDA in several ways to make Lewy body dementia (LBD) become a household word, from distributing materials in their community and to local physicians offices, to organizing outreach or community fundraising events.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) affects an estimated 1.3 million individuals and their families in the United States. It is currently widely underdiagnosed because LBD symptoms can closely resemble other more commonly known diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Many doctors or other medical professionals still are not familiar with LBD. Early diagnosis allows for important early treatment that may extend quality of life.

Given the growing population of older Americans, at some point in your life LBD will likely affect someone you know, said Angela Herron, President of LBDAs Board of Directors. The general public, and far too many primary care doctors and nurses, have never heard of LBD. In addition to trying to manage a very difficult disease, LBD families find themselves in the unanticipated role of educator and advocate.

These are just a few of the outstanding efforts around the country: Karen F. of Allentown, PA has 8 outreach events and media activities in October Rachael V. and Samantha L. are organizing the 1st Annual LBD Walk for Awareness in Abilene, TX on Oct. 20! Karen M. organized the Giddy-Up for Gary 5K in Omaha, NE on Oct. 12! Sue Ellen J. is doing an outreach event, delivering posters and materials to physicians and getting the word out and the PSAs to her local media in Austin, TX!

Check out LBDAs online calendar for all of the events for October Awareness Month!

LBDA is also encouraging Awareness Movement participants throughout the country to engage with each other locally by joining a Hub of Hope in their community. LBDA Hubs of Hope provide opportunities to connect LBD families and friends in local areas to build a network of resources for caregivers and people with LBD, as well as engage them in social and educational programs about LBD. To join LBDAs awareness movement, A Month To Remember, and for more information please visit http://www.lbda.org/go/awareness.

The Lewy Body Dementia Association The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the Lewy body dementias (LBD), supporting patients, their families and caregivers, and promoting scientific advances. Through outreach, education and research, LBDA supports those affected by Lewy body dementias. To learn more about LBD and LBDA please visit http://www.lbda.org.

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Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) Is Making October "A Month to Remember"