Asking YOUR representative to cosponsor the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act and the Alzheimer’s Disease Semipostal could not be easier. Here’s a letter that you can “cut & paste”. If you need your Congressman’s/woman’s name & contact information, simply type your zip code in the comment section and I’ll provide you with a link. Use YOUR voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves & Help Stamp OUT Alzheimer’s!

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I’m writing on behalf of the 5.2 million Americans with Alzheimer’s & other dementias, their 15.4 million unpaid caregivers, and those yet to be diagnosed to ask for your support in cosponsoring two important pieces of legislation:

H.R. 1507: The Health Outcomes, Planning and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, leading to better care and outcomes for Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. (Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith)

H.R. 1508: To provide for the issuance of an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Semipostal Stamp (like the Breast Cancer research stamp which, as of October 2012, has raised over $76.3 million for breast cancer research) to raise money for Alzheimer’s research. (Sponsored by Rep. Maxine Waters)

Every 68 seconds another American is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. First described in 1906, it remains the nation’s sixth leading cause of death and the ONLY illness among the top ten for which there is no known prevention, treatment, or cure. Alzheimer’s has NO survivors. It destroys brain cells and causes memory changes, erratic behaviors, and loss of body functions. It slowly and painfully takes away a person’s identity, ability to connect with others, think, eat, talk, walk, and find his or her way home.

Like all chronic illnesses, this is a disease that impacts the entire family, not just the unfortunate individual with the diagnosis. The emotional and financial cost to the family is immeasurable. In 2012 American taxpayers spent $200 billion on Medicare and Medicaid expenses related to Alzheimer’s; and caregivers provided an estimated 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at more than $216 billion. Unless we change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s our nation will be overwhelmed by as many as 16 million individuals suffering from this disease at a cost of $1 trillion by 2050.

Alzheimer’s does not discriminate; we are all at risk. This is a huge problem with dire consequences, and it demands that we use every means available to defeat it! These bills are but 2 of the tools in our arsenal to combat the physical, emotional, and financial ravages of dementia. Please lend your voice to this bipartisan, bicameral effort and COSPONSOR H.R. 1507 and H.R. 1508 to Help Stamp OUT Alzheimer’s!

To get contact information for your representative CLICK HERE.

Thank you.

Lynda Everman