Free screening of Away from Her in series Science in the Cinema

(June 3, 2009, Calgary, Alberta) Calgarians are invited to enjoy an evening of free popcorn, a movie and a discussion about Alzheimer's disease hosted by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). On Thursday, June 18, 2009, AHFMR is presenting Away from Her at 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre, 1133 Kensington Road NW.

Away from Her, an award winning film, is a moving adaptation of an Alice Munro short story about a woman (Julie Christie) falling into the fog of Alzheimer's, and the painful letting go process of her husband (Gordon Pinsent).

After the film, Dr. David Hogan, a specialist in geriatric medicine from the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, will discuss with the audience the challenges facing families struggling with Alzheimer's, and the latest Alzheimer's research. Dr. Hogan is the Brenda Strafford Foundation Chair in Geriatric Medicine – Canada's first chair in geriatric medicine.

The Alzheimer Society of Canada reports that there are half a million Canadians living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. That same study finds that one in 11 people over the age of 65 currently have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, and that women make up 72 per cent of Canadians with Alzheimer's disease.

"This new Science in the Cinema program is part of our ongoing focus on science education, inviting people around Alberta ‐ especially young people ‐ to explore the mysteries and the beauty of science," says AHFMR Interim CEO Jacques Magnan, PhD. "The idea is to reach new audiences while we learn about the scientific topics raised in the films."

Upcoming Science in the Cinema dates: Thursday, October 15, 2009

For pre‐interviews please contact: Karen Thomas, AHFMR Media Specialist, 1.877.423.5727 x225, 403.651.1112 (cell),

For more information, and for reporters attending the film on October 15, 2009, please contact: Nancy Whelan, Education Community Outreach Manager, , 1.877.423.5727 x260, 1.403.471.7541 (cellular ‐ not for publication).