Washington, DC – UsAgainstAlzheimer’s today applauded patient and caregiver advocate Mara Botonis and Alzheimer’s Tennessee’s Janice Wade-Whitehead for their recent participation in the the Peer Reviewed Alzheimer’s Research Program (PRARP) sponsored by the Department of Defense. Mara Botonis was nominated by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and Janice Wade-Whitehead is a founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Women’s Network.
As consumer reviewers, they evaluated research applications submitted to the PRARP. They were full voting members, along with prominent scientists, at meetings to help determine how the $12 million appropriated for the program by Congress for Fiscal Year 2015 will be spent on research to address the long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as they pertain to Alzheimer's disease. This was the first year consumer reviewers were involved in the PRARP reviews.
“Mara and Janice were perfect choices for this project,” said George Vradenburg, founder and chairman of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “Mara’s dedication to bettering the lives of those with Alzheimer's is clear from her accomplishments as a writer and activist on behalf of those suffereing from Alzheimer’s. Her grandfather, who died of Alzheimer's, was a two star general and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, giving her a special connection to PRARP. And as Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Tennesse, Janice is a tireless champion for those suffering with Alzheimer’s, supporting vital programs for those facing this devastating disease, and speaking out on their behalf.”
Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of those who are living with Alzheimer’s disease including patients, caregivers, and family members. They reviewed applications that aim to help better understand the association between TBI and Alzheimer’s disease, and reduce the burden on caregivers and individuals affected by TBI or Alzheimer’s disease-related symptoms.
Commenting on serving as a consumer reviewer, Mara Botonis said that, “To have the opportunity to learn more about some of the innovative research several of the best minds in the country are conducting to support advancements in the early diagnosis, prevention, treatment and cure of those with Alzheimer's disease was incredible. That the Department of Defense creates space on these panels for lay people to bring the voice of those impacted forward, front and center, is remarkable."
Meryl Comer, President of the Geoffrey Beene Foundation, said, “A salute to our Defense Department for engaging Alzheimer’s caregiver advocates like Mara Botonis and Janice Wade-Whitehead as equal reviewers and full voting members in their Peer Reviewed Alzheimer’s Research Program. Not only does it honor the insights those on the front lines of care and battling disease bring toward setting research priorities, but it sends a critical signal that our collective voice is being heard.”
The PRARP (formerly the Militarily Relevant Peer Reviewed Alzheimer's Disease (MRPRA) Research Program) was initiated in 2011. Consumer advocates and scientists worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the scientific merit of applications submitted to the program for funding. The PRARP is devoted to understanding the association between TBI and Alzheimer’s disease and reducing the burden on caregivers and individuals affected by symptoms of TBI or Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the military and veteran communities.
###
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s is an innovative non-profit organization demanding – and delivering – a solution to Alzheimer’s. Driven by the suffering of millions of families, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s presses for greater urgency from government, industry and the scientific community in the quest for an Alzheimer's cure – accomplishing this through effective leadership, collaborative advocacy, and strategic investments.
Founded in 2010, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s has worked across sectors to: (1) secure the national goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s by 2025 and help secure nearly $500 million in additional public funding for Alzheimer’s research over the past few years; (2) drive global efforts that resulted in the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations, the G7 group, to embrace a similar 2025 goal and to call for greater levels of research investment and collaboration; and (3) forge industry commitments to improve efficiencies for an expedited drug discovery and approval process.
Contact: Ranit Schmelzer
202.538.1065
[email protected]