KELOWNA- It’s a deadly disease that affects 15 per cent of Canada’s population over the age of 65 but it hasn’t seen a new treatment or different medication in over a decade.
Now, an Okanagan research group is attempting to meet Alzheimer’s disease head-on and it’s getting support from a popular sports team.
The Kelowna Rockets are the new ambassador of a research project by Okanagan Clinical Trials, a group trying to green-light a medical treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
The drug, which is close to being approved for patients in North America, could be the first Alzheimer’s medication to get past the clinical study stage in 13 years.
Rockets president, Bruce Hamilton, says he was spurred to join the fight against the debilitating illness after seeing its effects firsthand.
“There’s many nights when I walk out of the arena and the last people leaving are the elderly couples and one of them is suffering from Alzheimer’s. If I can help them out by raising awareness, that’s the least I can do. It was something that I personally was interested in more than a lot of things that come along. I just see a lot of people that need help.”
Hamilton and the Rockets are participating in a program called Lace Up for New Alzheimer’s Treatments.
The goal is to promote Alzheimer’s awareness in Kelowna as the drug goes through a final trial stage.
Dr. Kim Christie, Director of Research at Okanagan Clinical Trials, says there is plenty the public can do to help.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize that new medications rely on volunteer participation,” says Christie. “(Patients) can actually take an active role in their diagnosis and get involved to help future generations that will have the disease.”
There are almost 750,00 Canadians living with Alzheimers or dementia; a number expected to more than double in the next 15 years.
An information session for Lace Up for New Alzheimer’s Treatments will be held August 31st at 5:30 p.m. At Kelowna’s Coast Capri Hotel.
Attendees are asked to RSVP to the event at LaceUpKelowna.Eventbrite.com <http://LaceUpKelowna.Eventbrite.com>.
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