By 2050 the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to double in the state. To help combat the escalating disease, Alzheimer’s advocates announced the launch of the Colorado Champion Campaign at City Park this morning.
The campaign is a local effort for a national campaign, said Susan Barnhill, chair of the board of directors for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado.
Nationwide, the goal of the Champion Campaign is to enlist five million people who will be advocates of eradicating the disease.
“That’s one champion for each person living with the disease, 64,000 people right here in Colorado,” Barnhill said.
Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien was there to show her support and was the first to sign the champion banner and also to speak on how Gov. Bill Ritter’s administration will also work to help improve overall health.
Ensuring increased research to prevent the disease, as well as creating a support system for people already dealing with Alzheimer’s, is a priority, she said.
Part of that is ensuring people are comfortable: “Being able to live at home and not be institutionalized has a huge impact on quality of life.”
With one in eight people being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after age 65, now is the time to act, said Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado CEO Linda Mitchell.
“With the aging baby boomers,” she said, “our numbers will skyrocket.”
Staff writer Sara Crocker can be reached at 303-954-1661 or at scrocker@denverpost.com
