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Alzheimer's Association call to congressional leaders answered with historic commitment to fund critical research

The Alzheimer's Association, the leading advocate for federal Alzheimer's disease research funding and leading provider of caregiver support, celebrated today's announcement from House and Senate appropriations leaders that details their intention to pass the largest increase in history for Alzheimer's research funding — $350 million — in the FY2016 budget.

"The Alzheimer's Association believed we could work with congressional leaders to make this happen, and our effort was realized with today's historic announcement. Congressional champions from both sides of the aisle have heard the appeals from leading scientists convened by the Alzheimer's Association and the hundreds of thousands of advocates we have led. They have answered with a bold, strategic decision to invest in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, which is a necessary next step in our country's journey to end this epidemic." said Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.

The Alzheimer's Association has led researchers to document the scientific needs and opportunities that stand ready to be addressed with additional funding, advanced awareness and increased concern, and organized hundreds of thousands of advocates across the country who have worked relentlessly to ensure their message was heard and action was taken.

A report from the Alzheimer's Association, based on an economic model created by an independent research firm, projects that Medicare spending on people with Alzheimer's disease will more than quadruple in just over a generation to $589 billion annually in 2050. This analysis showed that a treatment delaying the onset of Alzheimer's by just five years would save Medicare $345 billion in the first 10 years alone.

"When signed into law, these funds will begin to be released immediately to launch new, groundbreaking Alzheimer's research; research that will accelerate our progress toward ultimately eliminating the disease," said Johns. "Congress understands what a significant difference dedicated funding for research will do to help to prevent, slow and ultimately develop a cure for Alzheimer's."

Alzheimer's disease is the only cause of death among the nation's top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Today, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease along with their more than 15 million caregivers.

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.