Planning for Chronic Illness – National Estate Planning Awareness Week Webinars

Estate Planning Awareness Week: Helping those Living with Chronic Illness
and Disability

October 17 – 21, 2011

October 6, 2011: Paramus, NJ

Chronic Illness Webinars presented by Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, PFS, AEP
®, JD, with www.RV4TheCause.org and
www.ChronicIllnessPlanning.org.

About National Estate Planning Awareness Week:

October 17 – 23, 2011, has been designated by Congress as National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Each
year, under HR 1499, the third full week in October is reserved as National
Estate Planning Awareness Week. It is estimated, that over 120,000,000 Americans
do not have up-to-date estate plans and long term financial strategies to
protect themselves, or their families, in the event of sickness, accidents, or
untimely death. The purpose of National Estate Planning Awareness Week is to
encourage consumers to address these issues before they have a chance to
negatively impact their daily lives. RV4TheCause.org
(www.ChronicIllnessPlanning.org) provides clear and simple programs to
help educate consumers faced by the challenges of chronic illness or disability
make choices that will protect themselves and their loved ones from the
vagaries of a highly unpredictable future.

About RV4TheCause:

RV4TheCause was founded by attorney Martin M. Shenkman,
with offices in Paramus, NJ and New York City, and his wife Patti, who was
diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2006. Their charity educates not only the
individuals impacted by chronic illness or disability, but the attorneys,
accountants, financial planners, and insurance professionals serving the 120
million Americans living with the challenges of disability and health issues.
Shenkman, who has more than 25 years experience in his field, is a noted
attorney, CPA and author who has devoted his career to helping those living
with chronic diseases in coping with financial, tax, insurance, estate, and
other issues.

Chronic Illness Webinars during National Estate Planning Awareness Week:

It is estimated that 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease,
24-35 million with COPD, over 2.1 million with Multiple Sclerosis worldwide,
and 5.4 million with Alzheimer’s disease. Over 120 million Americans are living
with some form of chronic illness. Failing to have up-to-date estate and life
plans (powers, living wills, financial plans, etc.) for these Americans, and
those relying on them, can prove devastating. The goal of this webinar series
on Estate Planning for Chronic Illness is twofold: to build knowledge amongst
professional advisers as to how they can better serve clients living with
chronic illness; and, to educate and inform those living with chronic illness,
their loved ones, and caretakers about proactive steps they can take to help
themselves plan.

In addition to presenting general chronic illness planning programs, these
webinars will be targeted to specific chronic disorders in order to enhance
their relevance and empower those living with that particular disease, which
will assist those individuals to better help themselves. By partnering with
charities serving those living with specific chronic illnesses, affected
consumers will more easily be reached.

Moderator: Hani Sarji, Esq., a writer at www.forbes.com will moderate
each consumer webinar. See his blog on www.forbes.com about the webinars
in advance of estate planning week.

NAEPC: National Association of Estate Planners & Councils and its foundation
(The NAEPC Education Foundation) will encourage its members nationwide to reach
out to consumers, especially those facing the challenges of chronic illness and
disability. NAEPC will announce the consumer webinars on www.naepc.org,
within their newsletters and will host recordings of them on
www.estateplanninganswers.org.

LISI (Leimberg Information Services, Inc.): LISI, one of the most respected
online estate planning websites, will disseminate information to encourage its
prestigious subscriber base to encourage their clients, especially those living
with chronic illness or disability, to take advantage of these programs. See
www.leimbergservices.com.

AICPA: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has a video on
planning for chronic illness:
http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Multimedia/ChronicIllnesses.
Additionally, a general article for National Estate Planning Awareness Week can
be found at:
http://www.journalofaccountancy.com/Issues/2011/Oct/20114425.htm.

Agenda

Monday October 17, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm EST

• The National Multiple Sclerosis Society sponsors a free consumer
  webinar entitled “Estate and Financial Planning for those Living with
  Multiple Sclerosis”. This program will be presented by Martin M. Shenkman,
  Esq., author of Funding the Cure: Helping a Loved One with MS through
  Charitable Giving to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Dr. Nicholas
  G. LaRocca, Vice President, Health Care Delivery and Policy Research of the
  National MS Society will join. Reserve at:
  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/126203022

Monday October 17, 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm EST

• The COPD Foundation sponsors a free consumer webinar entitled “Estate
  and Financial Planning for those Living with COPD”. This program will be
  presented by Martin M. Shenkman, author of a forthcoming book, Estate and
  Financial Planning for those living with COPD, which is to be published by
  Demos Health. www.demoshealth.com. John Walsh and Dr. Byron
  Thomashow of the COPD Foundation will join.

Reserve at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/519876470

Tuesday October 18, 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm EST

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“MJFF”) sponsors a
free consumer webinar entitled “Estate and Financial Planning for those Living
with Parkinson’s Disease.” The program will be presented by Martin M. Shenkman,
author of Funding the Cure: Charitable Giving to Help the Michael J. Fox
Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Find the Cure for Parkinson’s Disease
published by Demos Health. Seanna Bruno of MJFF will join. Reserve at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/786382430

Tuesday October 18, 2:30 – 3:30 pm EST

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA”) hosts
“Estate planning awareness week consumer seminar”. Martin M. Shenkman will be
one of several panelists participating in this program. To register:
http://www.canopic.com/cms/r/101812635.html

Tuesday October 18, 4:00 – 5:00 pm EST

• The Alzheimer’s Association sponsors a free consumer webinar entitled
  “Estate and Financial Planning for those Living with Alzheimer’s Disease”.
  The program will be presented by Martin M. Shenkman, author of Estate
  Planning for People with a Chronic Condition or Disability, published by
  Demos Health. Ruth Drew, Director of Family and Information Services of the
  Alzheimer’s Association, and Mary Bohmke, Director of Planned Giving for
  the Alzheimer’s Association, will both join. Reserve at:
  https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/331440886.

Wednesday October 19, 1:00 – 2:30 pm EST

• The American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law
  Division, sponsors a webinar for attorneys offering CLE credits entitled
  “Estate and Financial Planning for Clients Living with Chronic Illness”.
  Co-presented by Martin M. Shenkman, Esq. and Bernard A. Krooks, Esq. of
  Littman Krooks LLP, New York City, New York. Register:
  http://ambar.org/RP1TCI.

Wednesday October 19, 3:00 – 4:30 pm EST

• Foxmoor (formerly PESI) sponsors a webinar for professionals with CLE,
  CPE and other credits offered, entitled “Role of the Care Manager in Estate
  Planning for Clients Living with Chronic Illness.” This program will be
  presented by Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, JD; Marci Sadorf, RN, CMC, and
  Stephanie Chong, LICSW, ASWCM.

Thursday, October 20, 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST

• The Ultimate Estate Planner, Inc. sponsors a teleconference call for
  estate planning professionals entitled “Estate and Financial Planning for
  Clients with Chronic Illnesses” which will be presented by presented by
  Martin M. Shenkman, CPA, MBA, JD. Call 1-866-754-6477 for more information.
  Register at http://www.ultimateestateplanner.com/102011MS.html.

QUOTES ABOUT THIS WEBINAR SERIES AND RV4THECAUSE:

“Marty has found a unique way in RV4TheCause to bring his expertise to those
living with the challenges of MS and the financial advisors serving them. He
provides the practical tools they need in being more effective resources for
their clients with chronic illness,” says Cyndi Zagieboylo, President and CEO
of the National MS Society. “As awareness for the challenges of MS and the
importance of charitable giving are among those crucial tools, RV4TheCause
means a great deal to the Society and we are most appreciative to Marty to be a
beneficiary of his creative endeavors.”

“The creativity and dedication that helped Marty build a reputation as an
expert in estate and financial planning for people living with chronic diseases
are also evident in his efforts to help those living with Parkinson’s disease
,” said Todd Sherer, PhD, CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s
Research. “We are grateful to partner with RV4TheCause.”

“Despite not currently having a cure or disease-modifying treatments,
advance planning is one of the benefits of early detection of Alzheimer’s
disease,” said Ruth Drew, MS, LPC, Director of Family and Information Services
at the Alzheimer’s Association. “The Alzheimer’s Association encourages
families to begin planning when the person living with Alzheimer’s can still be
involved in the decision making process and before a crisis arises. For help
with planning, call the Association’s 24/7, toll-free helpline at
1-800-272-3900.”

“The COPD Foundation is pleased to join the partnership with RV4TheCause,”
says John Walsh, president of the COPD Foundation. “Finding a cure is a common
goal for our organization and we’re grateful for this opportunity to create
more awareness of COPD and knowledge as to how to plan for those living with
COPD.”

“Serving clients living with the challenges of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
Multiple Sclerosis or other chronic illnesses so they can best manage their
legal and financial affairs is a vital part of providing comprehensive estate
planning services for every attorney and accountant. The Ultimate Estate
Planner is proud to partner with RV4TheCause in its efforts to build awareness
and knowledge on this important and human aspect of practice,” says Phil
Kavesh, Esq., President, Ultimate Estate Planner.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY. The National MS Society
addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS. To fulfill this
mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through
advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS
organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to
help people with MS and their families move forward with their lives. In 2010
alone, through its national office and 50-state network of chapters, the
Society devoted $159 million to programs and services that assisted more than 1
million people. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also
invested $37 million to support 325 new and ongoing research projects around
the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the
movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org.

ABOUT THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION. As the world’s largest private funder
of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to
accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those
living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an
aggressively funded, highly targeted research program, and has invested over
$264 million in research to date. www.michaeljfox.org.

ABOUT THE ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION. The Alzheimer’s Association is the
world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and
research. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the
advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all
affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain
health. Their vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit www.alz.org
or call 800-272-3900.

ABOUT THE COPD FOUNDATION. COPD is an umbrella term for a group of lung
diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma, and
bronchiectasis. The COPD Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), was
established to speed innovations to make treatments more effective and
affordable, to undertake initiatives that result in expanded services for
COPD’ers and to improve the lives of individuals affected by COPD and related
lung diseases. The COPDF’s activities focus on achieving these results through
research, education and advocacy programs that will lead to prevention, and
someday, a cure for this disease. http://www.copdfoundation.org.

CONTACT INFORMATION: To learn more about the RV4TheCause program, the
press can contact Marty Shenkman at O: 201-845-8400/C: 201-563-4967,
[email protected], or visit www.RV4TheCause.org,
www.chronicillnessplanning.org, or
www.facebook.com/rv4thecause.