Urge Congress to fund research on Alzheimer's

To the editor:

Lost in the health-care news this week is a major setback for Alzheimer research. By failing to provide adequate funding, the president and Congress will halt the momentum toward ending the epidemic of Alzheimer's at a moment when scientists are close to finding answers.

Steady investment in Alzheimer research over the past 20 years is paying off. Science is on the verge of discovering effective treatment and ways to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Reducing our commitment to research means turning our backs on future generations and on a health-care system that will crumble unless we divert the coming epidemic. Now, more than ever, we must mount a successful offense.

In Missouri, more than 100,000 individuals suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Without a research breakthrough in the next few years, 14 million baby boomers will condemned to Alzheimer's disease by the middle of the century.

I urge voters in our area to call their federal legislators to ask them to commit to more funding for Alzheimer research.

TRACY LEMONDS

Member

Alzheimer's Association St. Louis Chapter Board of Directors

Cape Girardeau