Inside: The impact of Alzheimer’s on African-Americans
African-Americans are two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than whites and are also less likely to receive a diagnosis, resulting in less time for treatment and planning. That’s why during Black History Month and all year long, we seek to raise awareness and increase local education, care and support resources to help the African-American community face this devastating disease.
Wanda Y. is an African-American who has been deeply affected by Alzheimer’s as a caregiver for her husband, mother and brother, all of whom have dementia. Wanda was able to get involved when the Alzheimer’s Association referred her to TrialMatch®, a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that generates customized lists of available studies based on user-provided information.
Today, Wanda participates in clinical trials as a healthy volunteer, helping her gain key insight into how she is caring for her family with Alzheimer’s.
“TrialMatch has allowed me to plan my days as a caregiver better,” Wanda says. “It’s helped me take a look at myself and how I was coping, and how I could better care for my loved ones.”
In addition to her involvement in the TrialMatch process, Wanda found support groups to be an important emotional outlet.
Wanda says, “Without a support group or outside help, you can begin to feel like a nonentity, like you don’t exist. Thankfully, I have been able to join a support group through the Alzheimer’s Association to help with those feelings.”
Your gift today can help make essential resources like TrialMatch available, fund local care and support services, and accelerate critical research to help the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and their over 15 million caregivers. Together, we can continue to deliver help and hope to people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. You are truly making a difference.