I have always loved my birthday, more than any other holiday or celebration. Part of it is because I love the idea of having it be “my day.” And because I have lost too many friends and family members before their time, I appreciate the reminder that I should treasure every day as the gift that it is.
Now that I am getting older myself, my birthdays are losing a bit of their luster. While every day is a gift, it can also impose a burden. The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org). has recently reported that almost two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease are women. Once a woman reaches age 60, her chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease are about 1 in 6, whereas her chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer are 1 in 11.
The disease places another burden on women as well: women are more than twice as likely to be called upon to provide 24-hour care for a loved one with dementia.
As stated by the Editorial Board of the Los Angeles Times on March 19, (www.latimes.com) we cannot afford NOT to spend money on research to cure – or prevent – this devastating disease.
Speak Your Mind