June 2019 Memorialized as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month In New York

Albany, NY - On Tuesday, Senator May (D-Onondaga, Madison, Oneida), Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging, memorialized Governor Cuomo to proclaim June 2019 as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in New York. 

Alzheimer’s is one of the most devastating diseases facing older New Yorkers. Today, nearly 6 million Americans — including an estimated 400,000 New Yorkers — live with Alzheimer’s Disease. Every 65 seconds, somebody in the United States develops Alzheimer’s, which kills more people than breast and prostate cancers combined. The total cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias nationally is close to $300 billion; caregivers in New York alone provide an estimated 1.2 billion hours of unpaid care — care that has a value of more than $14 billion.

As significant as these numbers are, they pale in comparison to the agonizing personal costs exacted by this relentless and unpredictable disease — a disease that slowly and insidiously strips its victims of their memory, their mental faculties, their capacity to function independently, and, ultimately, their ability to live. While there is no cure as yet, an early diagnosis can provide access to medications that may lessen symptoms of the disease. We must increase public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and do all we can to support efforts to address this devastating illness. 

“As Chair of the Aging Committee, I hear regularly about how agonizing Alzheimer’s and other brain-related aging complications are for individuals and families,” said Senator May. “We recognize June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in New York, but our attention and dedication to developing treatments must remain year-round. I look forward to continued partnership with our allies to provide support for families as we work toward finding a cure.”

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