MUST READS
A June 27, 2018 KKTV 11 News article announced that Annabel Bowlen, wife of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, has Alzheimer’s disease. Pat also has AD. According to a statement by Annabel, "I decided to make my diagnosis public right away in the hope that it continues to raise awareness for those battling Alzheimer's and their loved ones. With June also being Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, the timing was right for me to share this personal update with everyone. I intend to proceed in life with the same strength, courage and endurance that Pat has shown in his battle with this disease.”
MUST WATCH
A June 27, 2018 KDVR Fox 31 Denver/2 News broadcast segment looked at research into a drug called called Leukine to treat AD at the Rocky Mountain Alzheimer's Disease Center. According to Dr. Huntington Potter, PhD, “We have a lot more work to do before we can call it a breakthrough. We have to treat people longer. Our current trial is only three weeks long."
RESEARCH AND SCIENCE
A June 27, 2018 Michigan Health article interviewed Eva Feldman, MD, PhD about her stem cell-based research and connection to Alzheimer’s disease. According to Feldman, “In the Program for Neurology Research & Discovery, we’re particularly interested in understanding the link between diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s. Alarmingly, patients with diabetes have a 50 to 75 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”
OPINION
A June 27, 2018 NBC 9 News video featured Next host Kyle Clark speaking about compassion and Alzheimer’s. “I hope we will also take the opportunity for this conversation about Alzheimer’s to banish the idea of joking about Alzheimer’s, or using it as an insult when somebody is forgetful or absentminded. I don’t think that anybody says it to be cruel. But it is, it is exceptionally cruel if you unknowingly say that around someone with a loved one who is fading away before their eyes.”
PROFILES IN COURAGE
A June 24, 2018 Mommy Hero blog post by Lisa Hirsch asks if one can live too long with Alzheimer’s disease. Her mom has had AD for 14 years. Hirsch wrote, “If she could speak or see herself through different eyes, would she want to keep on living? I believe deep in my heart that I know her answer. The answer is what I would want for myself. I believe that when someone’s quality of life disappears, decisions need to be made. Regardless of your beliefs I am certain that we can all agree that Alzheimer’s is one of the cruelest diseases. It takes away one’s entire world as if it never existed. There is no cure and the ending can be gruesome. So, I ask you, should someone with Alzheimer’s have the right to choose to die?”