Visit to State Capital

Today the kids and I went to Albany to meet with our Legislators and Senators for the purpose of asking for their support in limiting cuts to programs beneficial to Alzheimer's patients and their families. As we did in Washington last year, we told our story - over and over again - in all day meetings. This is what needs to be done in order to show the people who make these decisions, that Alzheimer's is a REAL problem and unless something is done soon, each individual state as well as the US Government will become bankrupt in trying to care for Alzheimer's patients.

Some facts:

In NY, the state pays approx. $1,100.00 a year to care for AIDS patients - but only $.70 for Alzheimer's patients.... and if our state continues to cut the programs offered by organizations like the Alzheimer's Association, instead of investing $850,000 a year, it will cost them approx. $14,000,000 a year. Out of the top 10 deadly diseases, Alzheimer's is the only one where the death rate keeps rising (lack of funding for research) and every 70 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer's Disease is the only disease that has no cure or medicine to slow the progression.

While in Albany, I was awarded the Frank Carlino Advocate of the Year Award. I was truly humbled and honored to receive an award named after a fellow New Yorker who, like Mike, had been diagnosed with Young Onset Alzheimer's and worked tirelessly as an advocate.

The above pictures show me with the award as well as me and Courtney and Brandon with NY State Senator Jack Martins.