WASHINGTON, DC, June 28, 2016—Following the tragic and untimely death of Pat Summitt today due to early onset Alzheimer's disease at the age of 64, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, on behalf of all patients and families affected by Alzheimer's disease and dementias, extends its condolences to her family and presses for increased urgency for all stakeholders to come together to defeat this disease.

Summitt, an honorary founder of WomenAgainstAlzheimer's, was the iconic women's basketball coach for the University of Tennessee and a force in empowering women to pursue athletic dreams. Among her many accomplishments, she is the all-time leader in wins across Division I men’s and women’s hoops, and won eight national titles.

Since she was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2011 at the age of 59, through the Pat Summitt Foundation, she was a fierce advocate working to find a cure. The Foundation awards grants focused on Alzheimer’s research, support services for patients and families, and education and awareness of the disease.

“We are truly saddened to lose a legend like Pat Summitt,” said Trish Vradenburg, co-founder and Vice Chair of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “Alzheimer's is unrelenting even when up against our nation's heroes, that's why we must push forward in this fight to develop ways to prevent, treat and cure this disease.”

Click here for more information on Summitt’s amazing life and career. 

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UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) 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.

As a member of the UsAgainstAlzheimer's Network, WomenAgainstAlzheimer’s unites women across the globe to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Our growing network of women is impatient with the slow progress being made in the Alzheimer’s fight and, driven by our passion, is committed to ending current “business-as usual” approaches to funding, research and advocacy to bring Alzheimer’s out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Because women won’t wait.

Contact: Tim Tassa
Phone: 202-263-2580
Email: [email protected]