Wednesday, March 24, 2004
JW Marriott Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C.
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“The fact that you represent both sides of the aisle shows that the needs of the Alzheimer’s sufferers and their families transcend partisan politics. Let us all work together so that tonight will become yet another first - the first day of the final campaign in the war on Alzheimer’s.” – David Hyde Pierce | ||
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“For many of you, taking care of a loved one is not a choice - it’s part of your character. You are wives, husbands, and children who love someone with an illness. But to so many, you’re heroes. Loving someone with all your heart is human. Never giving up is heroic.” – Mrs. Laura Bush | ||
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“We understand that the human cost is incalculable - but there are other costs, as well. The idea that one-half of us in this room tonight could be directly affected by this disease should be not just a wake-up call, but an alarm that sounds throughout our land.” – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton | ||
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“There is a great need for help for caregivers who struggle daily with the challenges of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. When one is affected, everyone close is affected - family, friends, acquaintances - and they all become caregivers.” – Rosalynn Carter | ||
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“By participating in tonight’s gala, all of us are helping to assure that the work of the Association will continue to vigorously fight this dreaded disease, because no family deserves to be robbed of one of its most precious gifts - the memories of a lifetime.” – Barbara Bush | ||
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“As we do all that we can to fight this disease, I ask something else of you. I ask that you recall the laughter in the voice and the sparkle in the eye of your loved one who has Alzheimer’s. That is how they would want us to think of them. Amidst the hardships and pain, let us not forget the joy and the love that we have shared with them.” – Nancy Reagan | ||
| “It is in the spirit of hope, promise and optimism so associated with the Reagan family that we are tonight awarding the first Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Award to a leading-edge researcher who is on the forefront of efforts to discover an effective | .gif) | |
| treatment for this disease.” – Andrew Card | ||
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“This is an exciting time to be involved in Alzheimer's disease research. While we are not there yet with respect to a cure, we are on the way. If one views the world of Alzheimer's disease research from two perspectives, one being clinical or patient oriented research and the other being basic science or laboratory | |
| research, I think the accomplishments in both areas have been significant, and the outlook for the future is very bright.” – Dr. Ron Peterson | ||
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“So tonight, it is in the spirit of harnessing the energies of love and respect and dignity that we are proud to inaugurate a special award that recognizes and honors those caregivers who strive to give people with Alzheimer’s the ability to live as full and meaningful a life as possible.” – Mark Shriver | ||
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"Having walked the road they (caregivers) are now walking, I have great admiration and respect for them. We can offer sympathy to them, but their most vital need is for support and assistance. Those of us who volunteer our time and experience through the Alzheimer’s Association are doing just that. This is our most critical mission. Concurrently, and equally important, the research community seeks the solutions to problems that will provide a “world without Alzheimer’s.” – RADM Mac Showers | ||
