Citing the devastating emotional and economic toll that Alzheimer’s disease takes on more than 5 million Americans and their families, Sen. Susan Collins, along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, has introduced a resolution declaring that the goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s by 2025 is an “urgent national priority.”

The resolution recognizes that dramatic increases in research funding are necessary to meet the 2025 goal and urges Congress to double the federal funding for Alzheimer’s research in 2015, as well as develop a plan to meet the target of $2 billion a year.

Today an estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including as many as 37,000 right here in Maine. This number will grow rapidly as more than 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day. The costs for Alzheimer’s care and services continue to rise, straining our health care system and threatening to bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid.

Across the country, Alzheimer’s advocates are calling on Congress to illustrate their understanding of the financial impact of Alzheimer’s disease and come together to include resources for research, education, care and support in fiscal year 2014.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter strongly supports Sen. Collins’ resolution to increase funding for research, as it represents a commitment to our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease. Countless volunteer advocates here in Maine are working alongside the senator toward this vision, and we are so proud that Maine is leading this fight.

Laurie Trenholm

executive director, Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter

Scarborough