This Year Cumann Staire in running the Arts Ball hopes to raise over €11,000 for charity.
The chosen charities for Arts Ball 2012 are The Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland (WSAI) & The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
The Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland (WSAI) was set up in the late 1980's as a support group for families of WS individuals in Ireland.
The WSAI provides support to members through annual conferences, social gatherings and the issue of regular newsletters.
It also works to make the medical, teaching and other professional groups more aware of the Williams Syndrome condition.
This helps to ensure that children with WS are diagnosed at an early age and that they receive the early intervention that is so vital to them.
The WSAI receives little or no state funding and is wholly dependent on membership fees and voluntary donations to fund it's work.
Click
Here for more information on WSAI.
Williams syndrome is a rare condition caused by missing genes. Parents may not have any family history of the condition. However, a person with Williams syndrome has a 50% chance of passing the disorder on to each of his or her children.
The cause usually occurs randomly.
Williams syndrome occurs in about 1 in 8,000 births.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is the leading dementia specific service provider in Ireland.
The Society was founded in 1982 by a small group of people who were caring for a family member with Alzheimer's Disease or a related dementia.
Today, it is a national voluntary organisation with an extensive national network of branches, regional offices and services that aims to provide people with all forms of dementia, their families and carers with the necessary support to maximise their quality of life.
Click
Here for more information.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.
There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses. Because AD cannot be cured and is degenerative, the sufferer relies on others for assistance.
The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the spouse or a close relative.
Alzheimer's disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers; the pressures can be wide-ranging, involving social, psychological, physical, and economic elements of the caregiver's life.
In developed countries, AD is one of the most costly diseases to society.
