Congressman remains committed to Alzheimer's fight - NorthJersey.com

Congressman remains committed to Alzheimer’s fight

Dear Editor:

I am writing to thank Ms. Sara Magee for her recent letter to the editor highlighting the importance of Alzheimer’s disease research funding. I share her advocacy for the advancement of research, increased funding, and assistance for caregivers, as I told her during her visit to my Morristown office this past January.

According to recent figures, an estimated 5.2 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s. The disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without means to prevent, cure, or hinder its progression.

I have long been a supporter of congressional action in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. I supported the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (2010) to establish a national plan to address this escalating crisis which included: the creation of www.alzheimers.gov as an information resource and a grant of over $20 million to the National Institute of Health (NIH) to conduct the first prevention trial in people with the highest risk for the disease and to test an insulin nasal spray for treatment.

Please know, I remain committed to the fight against this disease. I would like to thank those at the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter, NIH and Sara, especially, for their tireless efforts!

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen,

Washington, D.C.

Editor’s note: This letter to the editor previously appeared in the paper incorrectly under the name of one of Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen’s staff members.