Keep funding fight against Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is the 21st century's health epidemic for the nation.

As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. More than 210,000 live in Illinois. Here are some other facts:

- Ten million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer's.

-Every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's.

- Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. There are no survivors of this disease.

The Alzheimer's Association promotes research and services at the state and federal level.

Alzheimer's research and services funded by the state are in jeopardy of budget cuts. Contrary to assertions that most of the state budget cuts are cuts to increases, the threatened cuts to Alzheimer's research and funding would cause real reductions to the programs that already exist.

We must all urge our state senators, representatives and the governor to restore these cuts for Alzheimer's research and services.

Paul A. Caponigri

Board Member

Alzheimer's Association - Greater Illinois Chapter

Schaumburg