[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 53 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN HONOR OF MICHAEL ELLENBOGEN

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                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2013

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I share this letter on behalf of a 
constituent of mine named Michael Ellenbogen. I hope his story helps 
others in a profound and positive way.

       My name is Michael Ellenbogen. I am living with Alzheimer's 
     disease. I spend almost every waking hour advocating for 
     increased funding for research that will improve the 
     treatment of this dreadful disease. In 2008, at the age of 
     49, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after struggling 
     to get a diagnosis since my first symptoms began at age 39. 
     There are more than five million Americans now suffering from 
     this devastating disease.
       The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds research into 
     critical and devastating diseases such as cancer and HIV/
     Aids. Yet there is much neglect and discrimination regarding 
     the allocation of funds for research into Alzheimer's and 
     related dementias. As a person who experiences the 
     devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease every day I hope 
     that research will lead eventually to postponing the onset or 
     slow the progression of this disease, if not prevention and 
     cure.
       Currently, Alzheimer's disease only receives about $450 
     million for research from NIH, compared to more than $5 
     billion for cancer and more than $3 billion for HIV/AIDS. I 
     am astonished at the lack of funding dedicated to addressing 
     the number one health epidemic. Historically, leadership from 
     the federal government has helped lower the number of deaths 
     from major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, heart disease, stroke 
     and many types of cancers. This past experience provides hope 
     that increased efforts directed at Alzheimer's disease will 
     be met with similar success.
       There are many more Americans living with Alzheimer's than 
     HIV; more funding is desperately needed. If we do not act now 
     this disease has the potential to bankrupt this country. 
     Money allocated today will have an enormous return on 
     investment if it leads to the kind of successes obtained for 
     other diseases.
       If you have not yet been touched by this devastating and 
     debilitating disease it's just a matter of time. I hope that 
     my advocacy will help prevent future generations having to 
     suffer my fate and that of many others. You can help by 
     increasing NIH funding for research on Alzheimer's disease 
     and other dementias.
       I appeal to members of the House of Representatives, the 
     Senate and the respective appropriations committees: Make the 
     hard choices; increase funding for Alzheimer's disease. Do 
     everything necessary to ensure that Alzheimer's disease gets 
     the exposure, commitment and funding necessary to change the 
     course of the disease before millions more Americans are 
     affected.
       My work as an advocate has provided opportunities to share 
     my story on a national platform. I have provided public 
     comment during meetings of the Advisory Council on 
     Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services in addition to having 
     my personal essay about overcoming the stigma of the disease 
     featured in the Alzheimer's disease World Report 2012. I have 
     also become a member of the Alzheimer's Association National 
     Early-Stage Advisory Group, helping to raise awareness of the 
     disease and provide insights on the most appropriate programs 
     and services for individuals in the early stage of 
     Alzheimer's and other dementias.
       I hope that what I am doing now will allow me to leave this 
     world knowing that I have done everything possible to make 
     generations to come have a fighting chance. Do not forget 
     these people or the future generations who will develop this 
     disease. We face dying in the worst possible way.
           Regards,
     Michael Ellenbogen.

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