Editor,
One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease. It is the costliest disease and the only leading cause of death in the U.S. that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. It is imperative that we have elected officials who are working to make Alzheimer’s a national priority.
As an Alzheimer’s Association advocate, I took part in the annual Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., where I joined more than 1,200 others from across the nation to discuss the staggering impact Alzheimer’s has on our state and the nation. I met with Sen. Joe Donnelley’s legislative assistant, with whom my fellow advocates and I shared our personal experience with this devastating disease. We asked for his support on two policies: The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, which will provide resource centers, and PCHETA, assistance with training health care providers as well as additional Alzheimer’s research funding at the National Institutes of Health. We implored Sen. Donnelley to continue to be a champion in Congress for the 110,000 Hoosiers living with Alzheimer’s.
My mother passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. The Alzheimer’s Association was a significant resource for my family as we served as caregivers for Mom and support for one another. We must slow this disease down and find a cure.
My family and I are doing our part. Please join me in asking Sen. Donnelley for his continued support in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.
Anita W. Gaillard, Carmel
