Issue date: 09 Sep, 2010
The World health Organization and the Alzheimer Disease International have declared September 21st as the World Alzheimer’s Day. Philately joins this commemoration with a special stamp issue.
Alzheimer is a neurodegenerative, progressive and irreversible disease which causes a loss of neurons and the deterioration of mental and physical faculties. It is named after German neurologist Alois Alzheimer who first described the characteristic symptoms of this illness in 1907. In the early stages, the most commonly recognized symptom is inability to acquire new memories, such as difficulty in recalling recently observed facts. As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as their senses decline. Gradually, bodily functions are lost and the patient requires constant care. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer only treatments offering a small symptomatic benefit and attempting to delay or halt the progression of the disease. Treatment is mainly palliative by means of drugs, and psychological and personal care.
The World’s Alzheimer Day aims at obtaining support and solidarity from public institutions and their commitment to assign specific funds and create more special care units to attend those affected as well as to raise society’s awareness about this illness affecting millions of people around the world.
The stamp has been designed by Estudio Jesús Sánchez and depicts the logo Absent thoughts. World Alzheimer’s Day with a blurred face representing the blurred brain of a person affected by this disease.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.