Dear Editor: I am writing on behalf of the nearly 7 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s–a number that is expected to increase to nearly 13 million, by 2050. Without medical breakthroughs, this number will continue to rise. 

As a former caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, I understand firsthand the impact this devastating disease has on families across America. Marilyn, my wife, best friend, and high school sweetheart, was diagnosed with a mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in early 2017.  The diagnosis changed to Alzheimer’s in December 2021.  I was a member of the Columbus Consolidated Government Council and resigned in the spring of 2023 so that I could care for Marilyn.  We moved to Peachtree City in September 2023 to be near one of our daughters.  Marilyn died lying next to me 16 February 2025. 

Thankfully, we all can play an important role in fighting this disease. By increasing funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by an additional

$113.485 million and supporting the dementia public health infrastructure with $35 million for BOLD, our legislators can provide a sense of hope to millions of Americans, like me. 

Over the last decade, Congress has taken action with substantial, sustained federal investment in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding. With continued funding, scientists will be able to build on the progress we have made and continue working to advance basic disease knowledge, explore ways to reduce risk, uncover new biomarkers for early diagnosis and drug targeting, and make discoveries that can lead to a treatment or a cure. We can’t afford not to fund research.

Please encourage our elected representatives to support funding for the NIH and the implementation of BOLD and encourage other people to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementia. We’re at a moment when knowledge and discoveries are changing the way we fight Alzheimer’s. Our progress must continue.

Sincerely,

John M. House, PhD

Colonel (USA Retired)