Lynn Weber: Demand that Congress pass Alzheimer’s Act
The current session of Congress has left many important issues unresolved. Critical legislation is languishing in committees and vital budgetary decisions have yet to be made. This session of Congress is not over!
I encourage Modesto residents to call or write our re-elected Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, asking him to join 190 of his colleagues in co-sponsoring the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Accountability Act (HR 4351) to ensure that Congress has the best possible information from scientists to set research funding priorities.
More than 500,000 Californians are living with Alzheimer’s disease, which is 100 percent fatal. That number is expected to triple by 2050 if we don’t find a cure. Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in the nation, yet only 1.7 percent of the NIH’s budget goes toward Alzheimer’s research.
I lost my mom, Jean Sopher, to Alzheimer’s almost five years ago. Her journey was heartbreaking and difficult. I don’t want others to face this challenge. Our elected representatives need to step up and work together to fund research to find a cure.
If you have questions about dementia or need help, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline at (800) 272-9000 or visit www.alz.org.
Lynn Weber, Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer Ambasssador, Modesto
This story was originally published November 10, 2014 at 12:58 PM with the headline "Lynn Weber: Demand that Congress pass Alzheimer’s Act."