You can't say Alzheimer's researchers aren't trying really hard to make progress in preventing and treating the disease. A team of researchers is cycling across the country to raise awareness of the need for more funding for the study of Alzheimer's Disease and they need your support.

As a child of a parent who died from Alzheimer's disease, this cause is very close to my heart. It was brought to me by Jasmine Beltran who is a tireless activist for the cause of finding a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. She has even started a successful Facebook page to get the word out. Here is her link: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages#!/group.php?gid=118553624863263&v=wall She has been my inspiration. I want to personally thank her for all the passion she brings to this cause and all the people she has motivated to get involved.

What can you do to help? The first need is to sign the petition that is being presented to Congress. This is what we are asking for: We the undersigned, hereby petition Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority.

Today, more than 5 million Americans are facing the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and more than twice that number are caring for them. Alzheimer's is not simply memory loss. Alzheimer's is not normal aging. Alzheimer's is fatal, progressive and there is no cure.

Alzheimer's disease robs individuals of the anticipated golden years of their lives. It robs spouses of their companions and children of their parents and grandparents; it steals the health of caregivers and the financial resources of millions.

It's time for our nation's leaders to face the reality that Alzheimer's disease will have a devastating financial effect on our nation. Alzheimer's is already a tremendous emotional tragedy for the millions with it and their loved ones. It is time to make the fight against Alzheimer's a national priority. Specifically, we call upon Congress to:

• Pass the National Alzheimer's Project Act (S. 3036/H.R. 4689), creating an integrated federal campaign to overcome Alzheimer's disease
   
• Pass the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009 (S. 1492/H.R. 3286), authorizing $2 billion in research funding for Alzheimer's disease.
   
• Pass the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act (S. 3674/H.R.5926) (formerly ADD-CAP Act), providing Medicare reimbursement to increase the detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

When you factor in the costs to others – the out-of-pocket costs to patients and families, the costs to private insurance and HMOs, and the costs of uncompensated care to healthcare providers – caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias will cost the American people $20 trillion over the next 40 years. That's enough to pay off the entire U.S. national debt today and send a check for $20,000 to every man, woman and child in America with money left over.

Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease. To accomplish this goal, we need Congress to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority.

Here is the link to sign the petition and find out how our heroic cyclists are doing. They started their trek in San Francisco  and are currently approaching St. Louis, Missouri. Their goal is to reach Washington D.C. on September 21, 2010. You can follow the map and watch their progress as they pedal closer to the nation's capitol.  http://www.alz.org/research/breakthroughride/overview.asp#comment

Alzheimer's disease is an illness with hope. I truly believe that we can find a cure. We simply must work together to urge Congress to understand the logistics of funding this disease. Research is our future. The first step must come from us. Please sign the petition......

Check-out the slide show below for more info on Alzheimer's disease.

In West Palm Beach, there is a multitude of resources for a loved one with dementia. Morse Geriatrics has a wonderful daycare for dementia patients. As well as the West Palm Beach Alzheimer's Association, with all the info you will ever need.. Here are their links: http://www.alz.org/seflorida/        http://www.morselife.org/

My Contact: LisaRKohl@aol.com Email me anytime. (Always confidential) Thank you for subscribing to both my columns....:)