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Join Dementia Action Week

Monday, 13 May 2024 08:00

By Francine Clarke

Alzheimer’s Research UK is keen for people to get involved and help support their ground-breaking dementia research work that potentially brings new treatments closer. Fundraising Officer Francine Clarke explains why it is so important

Join Alzheimer’s Research UK this Dementia Action Week from 13 to 19 May to help fight against dementia. Almost one million people are living with dementia today, but tragically, not one of them will survive. We are the UK’s leading dementia research charity, and we are working to revolutionise the way dementia is treated, diagnosed, and prevented. And then, we will find a way to cure it.

If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing the condition ourselves, caring for someone with it, or both. In Sussex alone, 17,000 people are known to be living with a dementia diagnosis but the estimated number of people living with dementia in Sussex is over 27,000. These are staggering numbers but the power to change this is in our hands.

Since 1998, Alzheimer’s Research UK have committed over £193.8 million of funding for ground-breaking dementia research. But we can’t stop now – it’s your support that will continue to help bring us closer to finding a cure for dementia.

Sussex local, Megan O’Hanlon shares her story with us about her dad, Paddy, who is living with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Megan explains why she believes Alzheimer’s Research UK is the charity that will lead us to a cure for dementia.

MEGAN’S STORY

“Patrick is a goofball. Always the one cracking a joke to make people smile. He’s best known as Paddy, but to me, he’s Dad. I was his shadow when I was little. I followed him around everywhere because he made me feel safe. A proper duo. Sadly, our whole world was overturned when my dad was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease when he was 55. It’s why I support Alzheimer’s Research UK because I believe this charity will find  a cure for dementia – and it can’t come soon enough.

“The diagnosis was devastating news for Dad to wrap his head around. It felt like he lost his whole life in that split second because he knew how it was going to end. I was only 14 years old. Our relationship is different now I’m older. There has been a massive role reversal: he is someone that I need to keep safe. There’s a protective instinct, like how I imagine you might feel for your child.

“Now I share my story with Alzheimer’s Research UK to raise awareness of dementia and how it can affect younger people. As a volunteer for the charity, I’ve given talks and even been filmed for Good Morning Britain’s One Million Minutes campaign. Sharing my story feels rewarding because
it allows me to transform this awful situation into something powerful and helpful for other people.

“I want to continue raising awareness because it means we are challenging the way people think about dementia. I want people to know we can cure dementia through research. Even though it is too late for my dad, I am determined to help change the ending for families in the future.

“Think of all the incredible feats of science that humankind has achieved in the past century. Together, we can make the same progress for people living with dementia and their loved ones. Thankfully, Alzheimer’s Research UK is leading the way. By funding cutting-edge research, the charity is fuelling scientists and their incredible discoveries. This gives me hope for a future free from the fear of dementia. That’s why I stand with Alzheimer’s Research UK because finding a cure for dementia is what we all deserve.”

This year, we are funding 25 new groundbreaking dementia research studies. Our scientists are making life-changing discoveries  and bringing potential new treatments closer, but there’s still more work to do.

Join the fundraising effort to help beat dementia. Whether you are an individual, local community group, school, or company, get involved, have fun, and make a positive difference now!

You can do your own fundraising or choose to sign up to any of the fantastic events and there are lots of ideas available on the website along with the option to donate.

Every 3 minutes dementia steals a happily ever after. With your support, we can change the ending for everyone affected by dementia.

 

For more information visit: www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

or contact Francine Clarke:

Email: francine.clarke@alzheimersresearchuk.org
Tel: 07826 559252

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