Letter to the Editor
As an advocate for Alzheimer’s care and research, I applaud Senators Tom Harkin, Arlen Specter and Representatives David Obey and Jerry Lewis for their leadership in proposing the largest increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in five years. Much of the world-class research conducted in the United States and the scientific advances that our health care system relies on are made possible through NIH funding. This vital work gives hope to American families who are facing terrible diseases like Alzheimer’s, now the sixth leading cause of death in America.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that has no cure or effective treatment to halt or delay its progression and costs Medicare and Medicaid more than $100 billion annually. However, at last month’s Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers reported on an unprecedented number of drugs and diverse avenues of focus that show promise to slow or stop the disease’s advancement. This, along with improvements in diagnostic tools could very well change the outlook of Alzheimer’s disease. But these tremendous strides will quickly evaporate if there isn’t sustained investment in scientific research.

With as many as 5.2 million Americans living with this disease, nearly 230,000 in Ohio alone, every citizen in every state and Congressional district is depending on our elected officials to make Alzheimer’s disease a national priority.

This funding proposal signals a renewed commitment to eliminating diseases like Alzheimer’s, but more is needed.

Ohio voters are calling on Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown and Representative Zach Space to make this proposal a reality and vote on its passage.

Michelle Pugh,
Volunteer Advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association
New Philadelphia, Ohio

Diabetes Support
Local individuals with diabetes are invited to get the emotional support and continuing education they need through a free monthly support group at Affinity Medical Center. The next diabetes support group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Led by a nurse educator or dietitian, the diabetes support group features various guest speakers on important health and lifestyle issues that have an impact on individuals with diabetes. The group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month in the Massillon Campus Conference Room 1, located off the Eighth Street Lobby.

Family and friends of individuals with diabetes are welcome to attend. Registration is not necessary. For more information please contact the Affinity Medical Center Education Services department at 330-832-8761 ext. 1270.