The Face of Alzheimer’s: Help Find a Cure with the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry

In 1996, the world lost a devoted husband, loving father, dedicated Catholic, incredible athlete, honest bookkeeper….my Paw-Paw.  Born without fingers on his left hand, he overcame extreme adversity and beat the odds to become a pitcher for the minor league New Orleans Pelicans.  He was sharp mentally, physically and spiritually, but unfortunately he was no match for the disease that eventually took his life…Alzheimer’s.

Making my way through college and Graduate School in the difficult curriculum of Molecular Biology, I like to think that I got my determination and perseverance from him.  Upon my graduation, I wanted to make a difference in the World and pursued a career in research biology.  Research has always interested me so I was thrilled to be invited to take part in an online seminar with one of the leading Scientists at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to discuss strides being made in the disease that took my Paw-Paw.

Some of the key points I learned in the seminar are:

• Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and is not a normal part of aging
• Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. And the only one of the top 10 causes of death that cannot currently be prevented, treated or cured
• 5.4 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer’s, and someone is diagnosed every 6.9 seconds

Because the numbers are staggering, the direct costs of caring for Americans with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias are expected to be $200 billion, including $140 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid in 2012.  These costs are only expected to soar to $1.1 trillion by the year 2050 unless effective treatments are found.

Thanks to the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute solutions, treatments and cures are being pursued.  What can you do to help?  Sign up for the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry!  By signing up for the Registry, you will have access to resources and research being done to fight the disease.  In addition, you may have the opportunity to participate in a research study.  The Registry will provide an unprecedented pool of potential participants for research studies on prevention of the disease.  By signing up for the Registry, you are in NO WAY obligated to participate in a research study if selected.  Currently, 5,000 people are currently enrolled and Banner hopes to reach 100,000 members by June of 2013.

Help the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry grow by signing up now!  The ONLY requirement to join the Registry is that you are over the age of 18.  Has your life been touched by Alzheimer’s?  Share your stories with me in the comments.

This post is the opinion of the Experimental Mommy and brought to you by The Motherhood.  All opinions remain 100% mine.