Please contact your Federal Legislators about two very important pieces of legislation.
Following is the e-mail I sent to my friends and relations. Can you contact your friends.
"
As you know, I was diagnosed almost three years ago with Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease. I had an extraordinary experience of serving on the Early Stage Advisory Board for the Alzheimer's Association. As such, our group was available to the media (see Retirement Revolution: Sept 15th, 9 to 10:30 PBS, eastern time) and also we worked on updating the 10 signs of Alzheimer's and a brand new: Steps to a Dignified Diagnosis (See Alz. web site).

I have been holding this dreaded disease at bay and because of the regime I'm on, am actually better cognitively than I was three years ago. At first, I thought I was an anomaly. I now know that I serendipitously stumbled on what is now considered the key to treating AD: early diagnosis and a particular regime.

On my wrist is a band reading: A REASON TO HOPE. There is so much research going on, I feel with a bigger push we are close to getting better treatment (possibly reversal?).

You will be getting two mailings from me. This is to ask for action by you to your two senators and congressperson. The second appeal will be for a monetary contribution for a Memory Walk I have signed up for this fall. (forewarned)
This writing can be done from your computer. If you know the name, simple google it and you will be given a link for contact. If you don't know, google US Senate or House of Representatives and follow a link for your state. if you prefer 'snail' mail, it is better to send it to a local office. Mail sent to DC goes through all sorts of screening and is MUCH delayed. It is also possible to call directly, either to the local or DC (after Aug.) office.

Senators: Ask to co-sign two bills :
S1555. This makes provision for a coordinated Federal approach, supervised by the White House, for research related to Alzheimer's and other dementias. This is a fulfillment of recommendations made by a committee composed of people such as Newt Gingrich and Sandra Day O'Connor. I was fortunate to attend that committee hearing last spring when I attended the Alz. Assoc. Public Policy forum.
S1492. The Alzheimer Break Through Act. This calls, first, for increasing research funding for Alz.
Second, more support for caregivers. (More patients are being cared for at home than are in Assisted Living or Nursing Homes. It is one of the most difficult and unpaid jobs that I am aware of.)
Third, A national summit to look at research and programs. (I have a copy of this act if any one wishes to read it.)

House of Representatives: Ask to cosign H 3286, the same as S 1492, see above, The Alz. Break Through Act.

Your action may help me, but more importantly, it is sure to help you or someone close to you.
Please feel free to forward this. the more cosigners a bill has, the more the likelihood of passage."

Thanks, Mimi.

I've taken action!