(Original title, "Pat Bowlen and Alzheimer's.")
Pat
Bowlen’s resignation from Bronco ownership due to Alzheimer’s affords the
Broncos a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to their former owner and help
him and all Americans dealing with Alzheimer’s. Each October the Broncos and all NFL teams
promote breast cancer awareness. Players
wear pink on their uniforms to show support for those diagnosed with breast
cancer and to stimulate greater awareness. Each November our country celebrates National
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. The Broncos
can wear purple in November to show support for all those diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s and to stimulate greater awareness. Bronco announcers can promote Alzheimer’s
awareness.
Alzheimer’s
is the 6th leading cause of death in this country, and the only
disease among the top ten killers that has no effective means of prevention,
treatment, or cure. In September, 2012, the federal Centers for
Disease Control issued a report based upon a study of nearly 3500 NFL retirees
that concluded, “NFL players are three times as likely as the general
population to die from a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease
or Parkinson’s disease.”
It would seem that
honoring Pat Bowlen and more than 5 million other Americans dealing with
Alzheimer’s would be a natural fit for the Broncos, as well as for all NFL
teams. Bronco and all NFL radio and TV
broadcasts in November can increase awareness to help find a way to prevent,
treat, and finally cure Alzheimer’s. That would be a wonderful tribute to Mr.
Bowlen and an immense public service to others.
Cancer is
a horrible disease. My mother died of
cancer. I hope that NFL players continue
wearing pink and NFL announcers continue promoting cancer awareness and research
every October. But Alzheimer’s is also a
horrible disease. My wife has
Alzheimer’s. I hope that Bronco players
begin wearing purple and NFL announcers begin promoting Alzheimer’s awareness
and research each November.
Pink is extremely important. So is purple.
Published in The Denver Post, 7/27/2014 ... Guest Commentary in the Post Opinion section. Access at: www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_26217523/Bowlen-Broncos-can-raise-awareness-of-Alzheimers.
