Tonko a champion in Alzheimer’s fight
Dedicated advocates for Alzheimer’s research are celebrating that federal funding for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will receive a $400 million increase in the FY2017 budget, bringing the total amount of federal research funding to nearly $1.4 billion annually. This is the largest Alzheimer’s research funding in history and marks the second year that Alzheimer’s research has been singled out for historic increases.
As the Alzheimer’s Association’s Ambassador to Congressman Paul Tonko (NYS-20), and as a daughter who lost her mother to this tragic disease, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Congressman Tonko. He is a vocal and visible champion for Alzheimer’s research funding and caregiver support.
My volunteer role as Ambassador to Paul Tonko is incredibly simple. Whether he is in Washington speaking to Congress about Alzheimer’s or in his home district leading the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Congressman Tonko has already committed his time and attention before I even have the opportunity to ask for his support. Each month, Ambassadors nationwide participate in a conference call. I am proud to be associated with one of the most active members of Congress fighting for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and their families.
While we are applauding the $400 million increase in funding for Alzheimer’s, we recognize that there is a long road ahead leading to prevention and a cure for this disease. As many as 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s in 2050 with a staggering cost of $1.1 trillion. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $259 billion in 2017.
Twenty years ago, I watched my mother suffer from the brutal and bizarre effects of Alzheimer’s disease. She did not survive. Nobody survives Alzheimer’s disease, and it is beyond disturbing to know that with adequate research funding, this unnecessary disease could be eliminated. In the fight to end Alzheimer’s, we are grateful to have Congressman Paul Tonko’s leadership and support. — Ann Frantti Clifton Park