The Need For A

National Alzheimer’s Plan

To the Editor:

I would like to ask my neighbors and town folk to give a voice to the ever-increasing number of victims falling prey to this horrendous disease. There is a petition, easily signed, available at www.alz.org/petition.

We started attempting to get 50,000 signatures, and have over 155,000 so far...shooting for 250,000! It literally only takes a minute!

Families Facing Alzheimer’s Disease Can’t Wait

We, the undersigned, call on the President to issue a strong National Alzheimer’s Plan to help the millions of Americans now affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and the many millions more at risk.

Alzheimer’s won’t wait.

Today, more than five million Americans are facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s. This number could rise to 16 million by 2050 if we do not act.

Right now, nearly 15 million Americans serve as caregivers, and this is projected to soar to 45 million in that same timeframe.

The cost of inaction is too high. Alzheimer’s will cost the nation $183 billion this year. This will rise to $1 trillion by 2050, bankrupting families and our health care system.

Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only one among the top ten without a way to cure, prevent, or even slow its progression.

We urge the President to take the next bold step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s, fulfilling the promise of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act passed unanimously by Congress more than a year ago. Now is the time to create a world without Alzheimer’s.

Ed Bryan

89 Riverside Road, Sandy Hook                              March 6, 2012