Thank you, Congressman Foster!

On a daily basis, our Members of Congress are requested to support many issues. While Alzheimer’s disease is just one of the many causes they hear about, it's personal to me. My mother was diagnosed back in January of 2014 with early onset Alzheimer’s. I was her primary caregiver at home for 3 years. The task was extremely difficult and caused me many health conditions. I wouldn’t have changed my time to be able to care for her but do hope one day there is a cure for this horrible disease! My story is not rare, as I am one of the millions of daughters who has had to watch their mother slowly slip away from this devastating disease, and that's the reason I work with my elected officials on this issue.

Thankfully, my Congressman has been an unwavering advocate of our cause in Washington D.C. ever since he was elected. Being the only scientist in Congress, my Representative, Bill Foster, understands what’s at stake and the importance of finding a cure or prevention to stop Alzheimer's in its tracks. He has played an instrumental role in the QUADRUPLING of federal research funding authorized by Congress over the last 7 years. And most recently, he has once again showed his commitment to improving the lives of those living with dementia and their caregivers by sponsoring two vital pieces of legislation: the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act (H.R. 1873) and Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2019 (H.R. 1903).

The Improving Hope for Alzheimer’s Act will provide education for clinicians on care planning services, so our loved ones have access to this vital tool and are able to receive a comprehensive AND coordinated plan of care upon diagnosis. And the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act would enable individuals diagnosed with dementia under the age of 60 to access services and supports under the Older Americans Act, a program that has the potential to be a lifeline for families like mine facing a younger-onset diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s is an issue we can all get on board with, and it's been inspiring to see how dedicated our elected officials are on this issue. So if you haven’t had the chance to thank the Congressman in-person at the Walk to End Alzheimer's in Naperville or Joliet, I hope you'll join me today in extending your gratitude to Representative Foster for making this disease a priority in Congress year after year!