The momentum behind the fight to end Alzheimer’s has never been greater than it was this past week, with both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees approving an historic increase for Alzheimer’s disease research funding, at $300 million and $350 million, respectively.
The news is a positive indication that Congress is taking the Alzheimer’s crisis seriously. An estimated 5.1 million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease today. By 2025 this number is estimated to reach 7.1 million — a 40 percent increase from 2015 — barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease.
Increased research funding would mean that we can accelerate progress toward the primary goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: to find a cure or effective treatment by 2025.
We encourage legislators to show support for Alzheimer’s research funding by voting in favor of language in the final FY 2016 appropriations bill that includes this historic increase in Alzheimer’s research. The time is now! We urge your readers to call their members of Congress and tell them, “Alzheimer’s will not wait!”
Kenneth C. Zaentz
President and CEO
Alzheimer’s Association,
Greater New Jersey Chapter
The 2015 three-mile Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be Sunday, October 4, at Educational Testing Service. Contact Walter Ludeke at 609-275-1180 or E-mail wludeke@alz.org .
