Thank you, Rep. Davis & Sen. Manar!

I am one of the nearly 1 million Illinois residents who are directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. At 64, I have Lewy Bodies Disease, one of the many related dementias under the the ALZ umbrella, each requiring separate research. My story is not unlike others, as there are countless families who face the emotional, physical and financial burden of this disease. To spare this hardship for other families, I have worked with my elected officials to ensure this vulnerable population is a priority.

While the road to find a prevention or cure may seem long, I’m excited to share that both our federal and state governments are taking positive steps forward in our fight to End Alzheimer’s. On the federal level, I am grateful that my Congressman, Rodney Davis, is taking an active stance on this issue by cosponsoring the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2019 (H.R. 1903), a critical bill to improve access to resources for those affected by this disease under the age of 60. And thanks to the support of Illinois’s own Governor JB Pritzker and State Senator Andy Manar, Alzheimer’s Association-driven legislation, Senate Bill 1726, has been signed into law! This new law will establish a Dementia Coordinator at the Illinois Department of Public Health, a full-time position dedicated to effectively coordinating services around increasing quality of life for individuals, families and caregivers facing the daily challenges of dementia. Many of you signed petitions for these bipartisan Bills at the Decatur Walk for ALZ last year! I hope to see a crowd

at Fairview Park on Oct 5 for the Decatur Walk!

To prepare our healthcare system for this fast-growing and costly disease, I’m proud to know my elected officials are ensuring that Alzheimer's is brought to the forefront of the legislative agenda in Congress and in Springfield. Please join me in celebrating these victories and thanking our leaders Congressman Davis and State Senator Manar for making it all happen!