CONTACT: Sarah Oliver, 651.296.5956, [email protected]
Senator Carla NelsonDistrict 26 - Serving Olmsted County
Office: 117 State Office Bldg., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
May 18, 2015For Immediate Release
Alzheimers Research and Support Act Receives Funding for
Competitive GrantsSt. Paul, Minn. -- The Alzheimers Research and
Support Act has received funding for two types of competitive
grants through the Higher Education Omnibus bill and the Health and
Human Services Omnibus bill.
I am extremely pleased that Minnesota has taken the next step in
research of this insidious disease, said Senator Carla Nelson
(R-Rochester). Minnesota is home to internationally recognized
Alzheimers research centers like Mayo Clinic and the University of
Minnesota. We have the research infrastructure in place and can
lead in finding Alzheimers prevention strategies, treatments and
cures, added Senator Nelson.Currently about 100,000 Minnesotans
have Alzheimers. By the age of 65, one in nine people has
Alzheimers or a related dementia. By 85, that number is one in
three. The number of sufferers is set to skyrocket nationwide
because every day for the next 19 years, 10,000 baby boomers will
turn 65. Minnesota is facing a tsunami of Alzheimers patients and
only research can change the trajectory of this disease, added
Senator Nelson.
On May 17th both chambers of the Legislature passed the Higher
Ed Omnibus bill that appropriated $1 million per biennium for
competitive research grants to be managed by the Minnesota
Partnership for Biotechnical and Medical Genomics between the
University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic.
Both chambers also passed funding for dementia grants in the
Health and Human Services Omnibus bill. These statewide, regional
and local grants will help create dementia-capable communities,
connect caregivers with resources and promote early diagnosis. said
Senator Nelson.The heartbreak of watching a loved one struggle with
Alzheimers and other dementia is a pain many of us know all too
well, said Senator Nelson. In addition Alzheimers costs create
enormous strain on our healthcare system and significantly burdens
family, state and federal budgets. Research and support for
caregivers can help reduce the heartache and financial burdens of
this disease. concluded Sen. Nelson
Co-authors of the Alzheimers Research and Support Act are
Senators Pappas (DFL-St. Paul), Sheran (DFL-Mankato), Cohen
(DFL-St. Paul) and Rosen (R- Vernon Center).###
