Province takes on Alzheimer’s challenge
June 2009
In a show of solidarity to the 120,000 individuals and their families across Quebec struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease, 500 walkers converged at the Quay of the Old Port for the third Rona Memory Walk organized by the Alzheimer Society of Montreal on May 31. Across the province, 20 other Alzheimer Societies organized walks as well, with the goal of raising $2,000,000 to improve the Society’s programs and services. “We make up a large family of solidarity,” said Montreal mayor Gérald Tremblay. “There is a strong message of hope; ever y step is important.” Alzheimer Montreal raised over $83,000.
The supporters of the 5km walk heard some good news as Yves Bolduc, minister of health and social services, said that Quebec will create an action plan regarding the management of Alzheimer’s Disease and other chronic illnesses. Bolduc made public a report drafted by a team of experts, led by Dr. Howard Bergman, an internationally renowned researcher in aging, titled Relever le défi de la maladie d’Alzheimer et des maladies apparentées. The recommendations in the comprehensive report, which pinpoints challenges and defines objectives, will play an integral part in the strategic plan that the health ministry will elaborate over the next six years, Bolduc said.
While this year 100,000 Quebecers have the disease, in 20 years 160,000 will be affected. In the United States, the advanced stage of the disease is diagnosed in a patient every 70 seconds. In 2000, costs related to the illness across Canada reached $5.5 billion.
Yet, internationally, research into Alzheimer’s and related dementias remains chronically underfunded. According to Bergman’s report the funds allocated to Alzheimer’s by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research represent 3 per cent of their budget. In 2007-08, $26 million was allocated to Alzheimer’s research while $170 million was earmarked for cancer research. The impact of this disease on the health care system is underestimated, Bergman says.
Dr. Bergman’s report is available in French at www.msss.gouv.qc.ca
For information or to donate to the Alzheimer Society of Montreal, call 514-369-0800.
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