There are more than 110,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease in our state. These individuals are supported by 348,000 family members and friends acting as unpaid caregivers.

My aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s several years ago. It is a tragedy to watch the impacts of this terrible disease on this remarkable woman. Our country needs to keep working on finding a cure. A number of fellow Washingtonians recently joined more than 1,200 attendees at the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Advocacy Forum in Washington. I was pleased that those attending the conference said that Congress listened to the explanation of the burden that Alzheimer’s places on our state and nation.

In addition, our local Alzheimer’s advocacy group recently had a very successful meeting with Congressman Derek Kilmer. Congressman Kilmer has championed yearly increases in funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at the National Institutes of Health, from his seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Please join me in urging Congressman Kilmer to continue to invest in policies that address Alzheimer’s disease as the national health crisis it is.

Mark Stensager

Aberdeen