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Dear Friends,
W hen I took this job five years ago, many Alzheimer’s researchers told me they had little
confidence of achieving real breakthroughs over the next few decades — and not because they
lacked expertise or motivation. These are brilliant scientists, driven to succeed. At the core of
their disillusion was a lack of funding for research.
Much has happened since then to significantly alter the landscape, beginning with President
Reagan’s battle with Alzheimer’s and his death in 2004. Suddenly the stigma associated with
dementia began to recede. People talked openly about Alzheimer’s — the disease was out of the
closet. There was increased awareness that as the Baby Boomers aged the number of Americans
diagnosed with Alzheimer’s would increase exponentially.
Today, the same scientists who were discouraged are openly optimistic. And there’s good
reason. Driven in large measure by economics, pharmaceutical companies, the biotech
industry and healthcare institutions suddenly understood that the nation was facing, perhaps,
the largest healthcare crisis of the 21st Century. With renewed energy and commitment, they
devoted increasing resources to slowing the course of the disease, finding a cure and preventing
Alzheimer’s.
With increasing frequency, clinical trials are making breakthroughs, revealing new paradigms.
Researchers are learning more about the roles of genetics, amyloid, mitochrondria, free radicals
and more. In a very interesting study, caffeine-spiked drinking water has resulted in a 50%
reduction in the levels of a dementia-related protein in mice. While there is no data to support
a similar result in humans, wouldn’t it be nice if your morning cup of coffee could help stave off
AD?
Every failure is seen as an opportunity to learn something new. So I want you to be filled
with hope because the best and the brightest scientific minds in the world are hard at work
to ensure that we will one day live in a world without Alzheimer’s. Make no mistake, though.
The key to their success remains funding. In its absence, even the best researcher will fail. In its
absence, how will we financially support the next generation of scientists?
Our hope is that the Obama administration will recognize the seriousness of this crisis and
focus on adequate funding for Alzheimer’s research in the near -, medium - and long-term.
As I do in almost every newsletter, I implore you to get involved: advocate, participate, donate,
and educate yourself and others. We may be on the verge of new and exciting breakthroughs,
but succeeding will require vigilance, perseverance and your help.
This Fall, you’ll have the opportunity to stay involved at a variety of Chapter events including
the Annual Chapter Meeting on October 1st at Rockefeller University; Memory Walk 2009 in
beautiful Riverside Park on Sunday, October 25th, and by supporting our first official NYC
Marathon team of over 50 runners who will raise more than $200,000 to support our research,
programs and services.
As always, I look forward to seeing you at these and other events — and hearing from you as
we enter the new season.
— Lou-Ellen Barkan
President & CEO
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