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| Mike McGuff, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, John Harris, Director of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association Houston |
I am in Washington, DC this week, just in time for the cherry blossom peak bloom, but also for the 2019 Alzheimer's Impact Movement Advocacy Forum.
This will be my second year to attend the event where we will learn about the latest in Alzheimer's disease research and storm Capitol Hill in a mass of purple (the color of the Alzheimer's movement) to meet with our local senators and congressional members.
Last week, as an Alzheimer's Ambassador, I was able to meet my member of congress, Representative Lizzie Fletcher of the Texas 7th Congressional District, at the third annual Alzheimer’s Research Congressional Update. Other members of congress in attendance were Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and Congressman Pete Olson.
The event was emceed by the Honorable Judge Ed Emmett at the Neurodegeneration Consortium at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
You might be wondering about the connection of Alzheimer's disease to MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“MD Anderson is taking the fight not only to cancer, but also to Alzheimer’s disease,” Jim Ray, Ph.D., Director of the Neurodegeneration Consortium at MD Anderson said in a release. “We're excited to understand the common threads between neurodegeneration and chemotherapy-induced neuronal damage, our goal is to develop novel medicines that can prevent or treat these and other conditions.”
Ray is a neuroscientist with extensive drug discovery experience, allowing him to understand the therapeutic potential of basic science discoveries. Ray’s research focuses on understanding the connection between aging, cancer and neurodegeneration. As part of MD Anderson’s drug development engine, the Therapeutics Discovery Division, the Neurodegeneration Consortium seeks to find therapies that prevent or treat a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Today, more than 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Without medical breakthroughs, the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that by mid-century the number of people with the disease is set to nearly triple and the costs of Alzheimer’s are projected to more than quadruple to $1.1 trillion. Research is the only option to one day prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s.
“The number of deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease in Texas has increased 200% since 2000,” says Dr. Julie Kutac, Research Specialist, Alzheimer’s Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter. “There are 390,000 Texans living with Alzheimer’s Disease and that number is expected to rise to 490,000 by 2025. A worldwide quest is under way to find new treatments to stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer's disease. It is critical that Alzheimer's and other dementia research continues to accelerate and MD Anderson is one of the organizations focused on that task right here in the Texas Medical Center.”
The Alzheimer’s Association also presented an overview of current Alzheimer’s research, including the latest findings in the 2019 Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report.
“Alzheimer’s disease does not discriminate based on political affiliation; if you have a brain, you are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s” says John Harris, Director of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter. “The Alzheimer’s Association is thrilled to partner with MD Anderson and Dr. Ray along with our Representatives to raise critical awareness in D.C. about Alzheimer’s disease and the need for increased research funding.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter serves 37 counties and offers a 24/7 helpline. To learn more about the Houston chapter or to donate, call 1.800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org/texas.
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