Become an advocate and make a commitment to end Alzheimer’s

As Alzheimer’s threatens to bankrupt families, businesses and our health care system, researchers are coming closer to finding better treatments that could drastically alter the course of the disease. Now is the time to join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer’s and their families, and help persuade Congress to address those needs through legislative action.

We need your help

Join the cause
As Alzheimer’s disease threatens to bankrupt families, businesses and our healthcare system, scientists are coming closer to finding better treatments that could drastically alter the course of the disease. Now is the time to join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer’s and their families, and help persuade Congress to address those needs through legislative action.

As an advocate, you will:

• Generate action from our elected officials by making calls and writing letters.
• Stay on top of policy and legislative

Learn more about our policy priorities now.

issues through alerts and updates.

• Help elevate Alzheimer’s from a disease to a cause

Add your voice to ours — become an advocate today.

Visiting Washington, DC?
Are you going to Washington, DC, for a vacation this year? Would you be interested in joining the fight against Alzheimer’s disease? If you have time while in Washington, DC, we can help arrange a meeting with your member of Congress. You will have the opportunity to discuss the legislative priorities of the Alzheimer’s Association and ask your member of Congress to make fighting Alzheimer’s disease a national priority! For more information, contact us atadvocateinfo@alz.org.

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Join our Early Stage Telephone Support Group

The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter hosts a telephone support group for those with Mild Cognitive Impairment or who are in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia every month. Calls provide an opportunity to connect with others, explore challenges, share insights and learn about community resources. The organization also hosts support group calls for care partners. Learn more by calling Richard Apple, Senior Manager, Care Navigation, at 815.484.1301.

Have you been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia?

Is a phone call more convenient than an in person group?

If so, join us by phone for an educational and supportive gathering of individuals from across the state with a similar diagnosis.
These monthly phone calls will provide an opportunity to connect with others, explore challenges, share insights and learn about community resources.

Two groups will be held each month — one for individuals with the diagnosis and one for care partners.
Pre-registration and screening is required.
For more information, contact Richard Apple, Care Navigator, at 815.484.1301 or emailrapple@alz.org.

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Join the faces of Alzheimer’s disease at the 2014 Advocacy Forum

The voices of Alzheimer’s Association advocates have resulted in the largest proposed increase in federal funding for Alzheimer’s disease research and care programs. Help us continue the momentum by joining us for the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum April 7-9 in Washington, D.C., as we put a spotlight on the disease and compel our policymakers to engage in the fight.

Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic. More than 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s, the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death; by 2050, that number could rise to 13.8 million. And over 15 million family members and friends currently care for someone with the disease.

People like you.

Help us make a difference by joining the faces of Alzheimer’s at the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum. Come to Washington, D.C., as we put a spotlight on the disease and compel our policymakers to engage in the fight.

Face the facts: It’s time to take action against Alzheimer’s.

Online registration for the 2014 Forum is open here.

Letter from 2014 Forum Chair

Fellow Alzheimer’s Advocates:

When I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2009, I decided that I wasn’t going to sit back and let this disease go unchallenged. I was going to make a difference, and advocacy is one of the ways I’ve chosen to do so. To raise awareness, I share my story at Walk events, Town Hall meetings, support groups and at every other opportunity I can.

I am honored to be chair of the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum. This will be our 26th meeting, and once again we’re planning a seminal event. We’ll hear speakers from across party lines who will share the best practices of advocacy and insider views of the political landscape in Washington, D.C.

This is your opportunity to network with people from across the country. And on the Forum’s final day, you’ll be able to put all you have learned into practice as we storm Capitol Hill in a purple tide and convey to Congress the urgent need to change the trajectory of this disease.

I know you understand that Alzheimer’s is devastating for millions of people who have it or who provide care for someone. You also understand that only through our effective advocacy will our leaders in Washington be motivated to take action.

Please join me in being a voice in Washington for those who otherwise wouldn’t be heard. You, too, can make adifference.
I look forward to meeting you in April.

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Run with the ALZ Stars in the Shamrock Shuffle 8K

It’s your lucky day! ALZ Stars registration is now open for the 2014 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K team. Join the Alzheimer’s Association on Sunday, March 30 and kick off the running season by making your mark on the fight against Alzheimer’s. Funds raised by ALZ Stars benefit the research, support and education programs provided by the Alzheimer’s Association. To learn more, contact Ellie Simpson, Manager, Athletic Events, at 847.324.0378 or esimpson@alz.org.

Challenge yourself to change the course of Alzheimer’s disease by signing up to be an ALZ Star. Go the distance in the fight against this devastating disease by training for and completing the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K! while raising valuable funds to advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Join today

To get started, click on “Sign Up Now” above. Once you join the ALZ Stars, please register for the Shamrock Shuffle. Please Note: In order to maximize the funds raised through this event, the ALZ Stars program does not automatically provide you with your race entry. After you sign up, it’s time to start training toward the finish line and fundraising to fight Alzheimer’s!

Team benefits

Each ALZ Stars team member will receive ALZ Stars apparel to train in and wear on race day. We’ll provide you with a fundraising and training guidance, opportunities for group runs and social activities, fundraising incentives and, most importantly, the camaraderie of a team that is participating to achieve the same vision–a world without Alzheimer’s disease. We’ll celebrate our success on event weekend with fun post race festivities for you and your supporters! We can’t wait to cheer you on! 

Questions?

Please contact your team manager, Ellie Simpson at esimpson@alz.org or 847-324-0378. We look forward to welcoming you to the team! Together, we can outrace Alzheimer’s disease!

» SIGN UP NOW

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Record $122 million increase proposed for Alzheimer’s disease in funding bill

The fiscal year 2014 federal budget funding bill released by bipartisan House and Senate negotiators includes the largest funding increase in history dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia — $122 million for Alzheimer’s research, education, outreach and caregiver support. This achievement was driven by the unrelenting outreach of more than 600,000 Alzheimer’s Association advocates to members of Congress, sharing their personal experiences and explaining the dramatic impact Alzheimer’s is imposing on our nation and economy.

Record $122 million increase proposed for Alzheimer’s disease in funding bill

Negotiations for the fiscal year 2014 federal budget ended last evening with a funding bill that recognizes the critical need to address the Alzheimer’s epidemic facing the nation. The funding bill released by bipartisan House and Senate negotiators included the largest increase in funding dedicated to Alzheimer’s and dementia — $122 million in funding for Alzheimer’s research, education, outreach and caregiver support — in history. This achievement was driven by the unrelenting outreach of more than 600,000 Alzheimer’s Association advocates to members of Congress, sharing their personal experiences and explaining the dramatic impact Alzheimer’s is imposing on our nation and economy.

“By allotting $122 million to Alzheimer’s research, care and support services, President Obama and Congress are acknowledging the magnitude of the Alzheimer’s crisis and need for greater investment,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association’s vice president of public policy. “With prevalence numbers projected to triple by 2050, we must increase our efforts if we hope to avoid monumental human and financial costs in the future. This important step is a victory for Alzheimer’s Association advocates and all affected by this terrible disease.”

The funding allocated for Alzheimer’s disease includes a $100 million increase for the National Institute on Aging for Alzheimer’s research, $3.3 million to support the surveillance of Alzheimer’s caregivers, $4 million to train health professionals on issues related to Alzheimer’s disease, $10.5 million to expand the home and community based caregiver services and $4.2 million for outreach activities to raise awareness. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative will receive $30 million to support brain research that could impact several diseases, including Alzheimer’s, if passed.

There are currently more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is poised to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050, according the Alzheimer’s Association 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report. In addition to the human toll of the disease, care for Alzheimer’s, the country’s most expensive condition, costs the nation $203 billion annually with projections to reach $1.2 trillion by 2050. Yet for every $27,000 Medicare and Medicaid spend on caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spends only $100 on Alzheimer’s research.

“To meet the goal of the National Alzheimer’s Plan and prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025, we will have to continue making investments until we reach levels comparable with the magnitude of crisis,” said Egge. “The Alzheimer’s Association and its advocates look forward to swift approvals and continued work in the year to come.”

The Alzheimer’s Association commends President Obama for his commitment to Alzheimer’s funding in his initial budget request and Congress’ bipartisan dedication to the cause despite unprecedented fiscal challenges. The Association now encourages all parties – House of Representatives, Senate and Obama Administration – to do everything possible to ensure enactment of the funding bill.

Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

Contact: Alzheimer’s Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
Email: media@alz.org

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