Capturing the "Memories" of One Million People -- One Tweet at a
Time
This Remembrance Day, honour the memory of a loved one. It's easy.
- Visit the 1MTweets
website and tweet to digitally memorialize someone you know affected by
Alzheimer's.
- Tweet about the program itself and make sure you include the
hashtag #1Mtweets in the body of your tweet if your message is posted on the
Twitter platform.
- Opt in to our request to donate a minimum of $1 per
tweet.
- Create a Twitter tribute, or "Twibute", and share it with your
family and friends
- Support the movement by becoming a fan on the 1Mtweet Facebook
page and by following 1Mtweets on Twitter.
A Million Tweets to Remember aims to be largest movement ever on
Twitter
Toronto, ON September 21, 2009 -- A new and unique Twitter
movement launched today with the goal of revolutionizing the way social causes
connect with online communities. The movement, called "A Million Tweets to Remember," seeks
to digitally memorialize one million people who have lived with Alzheimer's
disease (past or present) by having their loved ones tweet about them at http://1mtweets.com/. The
campaign coincides with the launch of World Alzheimer's Day, a global initiative
to raise awareness about Alzheimer's.
The campaign is the brainchild of Jordan Banks, a committed philanthropist whose personal
connection to the disease includes four grandparents who have all lived with
Alzheimer's. More than six million people across North America are
currently affected by Alzheimer's disease.
"I have seen four of my grandparents battle
Alzheimer's and, in their honour, I wanted to do something monumental," says
Jordan Banks. "Over the past ten years I have dedicated a significant
amount of time raising money and awareness for Alzheimer's research and
care, but this time around I really wanted to leverage technology in garnering
substantial support around the world."
In a recent blog post, Internet marketing guru Seth Godin commented on the
tremendous opportunities that exist for non-profits to tap into online social
networks: "Take a look at the top 100 twitter users in terms of followers. Remember, this is a
free tool, one that people use to focus attention and galvanize action
.
None of them are non-profits. Where are the big charities, the
urgent charities, the famous charities that face such timely needs and are in a
hurry to make change?
. The marketing world has changed completely. So
has the environment for philanthropic giving. So have the attitudes of a new
generation of philanthropists. But if you look at the biggest charities in the
country, you couldn't tell
"
1MTweets seeks to prove there is a prominent place for worthy causes within
social networks, and that -- if engaged in the right way -- people
will actively network and connect to support and promote causes close to their
heart.
"Twitter is a powerful platform," adds Banks. "The transfer and sharing of
information and level of engagement on Twitter is incredible, making it a great
resource to raise awareness for Alzheimer's and memorialize those who have lived
with the devastating disease."
All proceeds from 1Mtweets will be allocated to research projects focused on
the aging brain and Alzheimer's disease through the Alzheimer Society of Canada
in collaboration with the American Alzheimer's Association.
How
can I participate?
Visit the 1MTweets website and tweet to digitally
memorialize a loved one affected by Alzheimer's.
Tweet about the
program itself and make sure you include the hashtag #1Mtweets in the body of
your tweet if your message is posted on the Twitter platform.
Opt in to
our request to donate a minimum of $1 per tweet.
Also, consider
creating a Twitter tribute, or "Twibute", and share it with your family and
friends
You can also support the movement by becoming a fan on the 1Mtweet
Facebook page
and by following 1Mtweets on Twitter.
Did you know?
According to the Alzheimer Society of
Canada and the American Alzheimer's Association:
Every 70 seconds, someone
is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
An estimated 35.6 million people
worldwide will be living with dementia in 2010.
Six million North Americans
are living with Alzheimer's disease.
1 in 11 Canadians and 1 in 8 Americans
over the age of 65 has Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.
36 per
cent of Canadians know someone with Alzheimer's disease.
For more information about Alzheimer's disease, go to www.alzheimer.ca or www.alz.org.
For more information or to book an interview with Jordan Banks, please
contact:
Stephanie Marton/Noor Marzook/Marsha
Knoll
Edelman
416-979-1120 ext. 314 / 239 / 329
stephanie.marton@edelman.com / noor.marzook@edelman.com / marsha.knoll@edelman.com
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