On March 3rd I will be running the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. Over the past few years I have had the privilege of meeting some amazing and inspiring people with Dementia. I have also, sadly, seen the affects of how debilitating this disease is for individuals and their families.

Alzheimer's Society is an incredible charity that supports people in various ways such as Singing for the Brain, Dementia Cafes, carer support groups, befriending services, and Dementia Advisers to name just a few.  They are committed to defeating Dementia through research. Funding research into the cause, cure, care and prevention of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, to improve treatment for people today, and search for a cure for tomorrow.

I would be so SO grateful for any donations for this great cause.

Laura
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What is dementia?

- Dementia is an umbrella term describing different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. These conditions are all usually progressive and eventually severe.

- Alzheimer's disease is an example of Dementia. It is the most common, affecting 62 per cent of those diagnosed. Other types of dementia include; vascular dementia affecting 17 per cent of those diagnosed, mixed dementia affecting 10 per cent of those diagnosed.

Who is affected?

 - There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2021. This will soar to 1.7 million by 2050.

 - One in three people over 65 will die with dementia

 - More than 60 per cent of all care home residents, aged over 65, have a form of dementia.

 - There are over 17,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK.

What about treatments and research?

- There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or any other type of dementia. Delaying the onset of dementia by five years would halve the number of deaths from the condition, saving 30,000 lives a year.

 - Dementia research is desperately underfunded.

- Alzheimer's Society invests over £6 million in dementia research to improve care for people today and find a cure for tomorrow

How will my donation help?

- £5 could pay for one person to attend a half hour session at a monthly Dementia Café, providing information and support for people with dementia and their carers.

- £20 could pay for 100 copies of Understanding and respecting the person with dementia - one of the Society's most requested factsheets.

- £50 could fund a PhD researcher for one day to continue vital research into understanding the causes of dementia, how it can be treated and, ultimately, to find a cure.

- £120 could pay to run Talking Point for one day - the Society's 24/7 online community for all people affected by dementia.