SENATOR COLLINS SPEAKS AT ANNUAL ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION PUBLIC POLICY FORUM

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins, co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, spoke today at the annual Alzheimer’s Association Public Policy Forum in Washington, D.C.  Senator Collins delivered remarks at a briefing session on early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.               “Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that takes a tremendous personal and economic toll on both the individual and the family,” said Senator Collins.  “Alzheimer’s is tragic at any age.  But the tragedy is particularly poignant when it strikes early, disabling otherwise healthy individuals in the prime of their lives.”   Karen Stram of Dresden also spoke during the forum and shared the experience of her husband, Bob, who lives with early-onset Alzheimer’s.  Stram discussed the challenges that she and her family face caring for him and she urged members of Congress to continue and expand the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  “I don’t know why my husband got the disease.  What I do know is that without some answers we will never get a treatment or cure,” said Stram.  “Without basic science we will never be able to prevent it.  We won’t get that science and information until our leaders understand the crisis that is looming on the horizon.”   Senator Collins is pictured in the attached photograph with forum attendees from Maine. (Pictured from left to right):  Eleanor Goldberg, the Executive Director of the Maine Alzheimer’s Association; Jennifer Stram, daughter of Karen and Bob; John Mauro, Maine Alzheimer’s Association volunteer whose wife has Alzheimer’s; Karen Stram, and Jennifer Mytar, volunteer.)