Look To The Stars News: Alzheimer's Research Trust

Cliff Richard To Host Alzheimer's Show

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Sir Cliff Richard will front a special show on British TV to raise funds for research into Alzheimer’s disease this weekend.

The 68-year-old – knighted in 1995 – is a patron of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust and lost his mother to the condition in 2007.

The show, which is part of the BBC’s Lifeline program, will air on BBC1 at 5pm on Sunday, October 19, and will be repeated on BBC2 at lunchtime on Wednesday, October 22. It will feature stories and experiences of people who live with the disease, including Elaine Moody from Nottingham, who was the first person with Alzheimer’s to run the London Marathon.

Pratchett Donation Inspires Grassroots Alzheimer’s Campaign

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

Best-selling author Terry Pratchett, suffering from a rare form of Alzheimer’s since 2007, gave $1 million to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust in March 2008. Prompted by Pratchett’s philanthropy, a group of loyal readers have formed an online fundraising campaign, Match It For Pratchett.

The goal of the “spontaneous, grassroots, totally unofficial campaign” is to match Pratchett’s $1million donation through public contributions to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Match It For Pratchett T-shirt sales, and a “Wear the Lilac” pin campaign. In addition to raising funds and awareness for the cause, Match It For Pratchett has also become a hub of information about Alzheimer’s disease and the latest news on Pratchett himself.

Since being diagnosed in December 2007 with a rare, early-onset form of the disease called posterior cortical atrophy, Pratchett – who turned 60 in April – has been a staunch advocate for Alzheimer’s research. Of his diagnosis, Pratchett has said, “I am, along with many others, scrabbling to stay ahead long enough to be there when the cure comes along… It is a shock to find out that funding for Alzheimer’s research is just 3% of that to find cancer cures.” Pratchett has appeared on television and radio to discuss his diagnosis, and is currently working on a documentary series with the BBC that will follow him as he copes with his illness.

In response to Pratchett’s donation and advocacy, Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, emphasized the urgent need for awareness and research. She said, “Whilst we were deeply saddened to learn of Mr Pratchett’s diagnosis, we are delighted that he has chosen to speak out about his experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, to raise awareness about its impact and the desperate need for more research. Research is the only way to beat this disease and help people like Terry – to prevent them losing their thinking skills and keep them doing the things they love.”

Match It For Pratchett is determined to harness the power of the Internet and the passion of grassroots advocates to spread this message across the world. In addition to offering donation opportunities, the organization also encourages people to raise awareness about the cause through blogs, Facebook, and other online applications.

More information can be found at www.matchitforpratchett.org.

Discworld Author Donates To Alzheimer's Research

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:48:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Author Terry Pratchett has pledged a donation of $1 million to research into Alzheimer’s disease, the degenerative brain disorder he has suffered from for the last few years.

The 59-year-old creator of the “Discworld” series announced the donation at an Alzheimer’s Research Trust conference in Bristol late last week.

“I have had Alzheimer’s now for the past two years plus,” said Pratchett. “It’s a nasty disease, surrounded by shadows and small – largely unseen – tragedies. There’s nearly as many of us as there are cancer sufferers, and it looks as if the number of people with the disease will double within a generation. It’s a shock and a shame to find out that funding for research is three per cent of that which goes to find cancer cures.”

Pratchett revealed he had a rare form of the disease in a message on his website in December, which shocked his many fans.

“Soon after I told the world, my website fell over,” he said. “I had more than 60,000 messages in the first few hours.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, with around 700,000 sufferers in Britain. Although there is no known cure, several organizations provide support. The Alzheimer’s Research Trust is the UK’s leading research charity for dementia, dedicated to funding scientific studies to treat, cure, or prevent Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, and fronto-temporal dementia. They rely completely on donations to fund their research.

“Let’s shout something loud enough to hear,” said Pratchett during his speech to the Research Trust. “We need you and you need money. I’m giving you a million dollars. Spend it wisely.”

To make a donation to the Trust, visit www.alzheimers-research.org.uk.

Look To The Stars News: Alzheimer's Research Trust

Cliff Richard To Host Alzheimer's Show

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