Greetings Senator Cornyn,

I want to begin by thanking your staff for the incredible hospitality extended to our Alzheimer’s Association volunteer Advocates and during our time on Capitol Hill in mid-June of this year. As your assigned Alzheimer’s Ambassador, I know that with your support, a cure for this dreaded disease is not far away.

I also would like to mention the BOLD Act (Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act).

The bipartisan Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (S. 2076/H.R.4256) would strengthen the nation’s public health response to Alzheimer’s by providing state, local, and tribal public health officials with the funding and resources necessary to increase early detection and diagnosis, reduce risk, prevent avoidable hospitalizations, and address health disparities—all of which impact those living with the disease, and their millions of unpaid caregivers.

These important priorities track with the most recent research advances as well. During the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) last month, research showed that aggressive lowering of systolic blood pressure significantly reduces the risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia. As scientists continue to search for a treatment, we must act now to address the growing public health crisis Alzheimer’s poses to millions of families across our country.

The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act would build upon research advances like this by implementing public health interventions to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, such as by controlling cardiovascular risk factors.

It is my hope that you will work with Senate leadership to both encourage as well as ensure the passage of this bill when it comes to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

Although this bill will not help my wife’s Grandmother who suffered with Alzheimer’s for 13 years, it will help the 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s today. It will also ensure that we will find a way to stop the devastating effects of this disease for future generations.

So again, I want to thank you Senator for your consideration in this matter and we look forward to your support on this game changing bill.

Sincerely,

Charles Assiff

Volunteer -National Alzheimer’s Ambassador, Texas