Looking back on the fight to end Alzheimer’s in 2023
2023 was another momentous year in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Take a look back at some of the year’s top stories – here in Indiana and across the country.
January
- The year got off to a great start as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval of Leqembi (lecanemab) for the treatment of patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early stage Alzheimer’s disease. It was the second disease-modifying drug to receive accelerated approval.
February
- The Alzheimer’s Association State Advocacy Day was held at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis. Governor Eric Holcomb and several state legislators spoke to volunteers from across the state who came to make their voices heard in support of HB 1422 establishing a dementia care specialist program. The bill later passed with overwhelming bipartisan support.
- The care and support team kicked off a series of Community Forums, beginning in Lafayette. Additional Community Forums were held throughout the year in Columbus, Kokomo, and Indianapolis. These forums resulted in new program delivery and the addition of several support groups.
- The family of Bruce Willis bravely shared that he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. By speaking out, they have helped to raise awareness of the disease.
March
- Volunteer advocates from Indiana and across the country traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with members of Congress and advocate for policies to help those affected by Alzheimer’s. They also rallied for treatment access at the White House.
April
- The Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter announced ALZ Equity for Indiana, a four-year initiative to reach underserved communities. It was made possible with a generous $1.2 million donation from Judy and Michael Harrington. The gift is the largest donation focused on diversity, equity and inclusion made to the Alzheimer’s Association and the largest single donation of any kind to the Greater Indiana Chapter.
- The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) hosted the annual Community Leaders Gathering at the Indianapolis International Airport. Tamika Catchings, retired Indiana Fever player and WNBA champion, basketball hall of famer, four-time Olympic gold medalist, founder of the Catch the Stars Foundation, owner of Tea’s Me Café, and IAA board member was the featured speaker. A former Lady Volunteer at the University of Tennessee, Catchings spoke about her coach, mentor and friend, the legendary Pat Summitt, who died of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 64.
- Funding for HB 1422 establishing a dementia care specialist program was added to the Indiana budget, marking the first time that dementia-specific funding has been included in the state budget.
June
- Building on the momentum of the White House rally earlier in the year, advocates across the country rallied for treatment access in their own communities. In Indiana, a rally was held on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis.
- For the second year in a row, the Greater Indiana Chapter was a proud sponsor of the Indy Pride festival. Staff and volunteers also provided attendees with information about the impact of the disease on the LGBTQ+ community and resources to help.
- The Longest Day was held on the summer solstice – the longest day of the year. Indianapolis and Fort Wayne landmarks went purple to mark the occasion. Participants raised funds and awareness on this day and throughout the year. By the end of the 2023 campaign, they raised a total of more than $397,000.
July
- In a momentous decision, the FDA granted traditional approval to Leqembi - making it the first traditional approval for an Alzheimer’s treatment that changes the underlying course of the disease. While not a cure, the treatment can give people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s more time to maintain their independence and do the things they love.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced a plan to enable access to FDA traditionally approved Alzheimer’s treatments. The announcement came after extensive efforts by the Alzheimer’s Association, bipartisan members of Congress, state attorneys general, clinicians, and, most importantly, advocates from communities all across the country.
- The Greater Indiana Chapter was a proud sponsor of the Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair and provided information about the resources available to help those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- The 2023 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands and online. Indiana-based Eli Lilly reported full Phase 3 data from the clinical trial of donanemab. The results showed that donanemab significantly slowed cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an initiative known as the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. The initiative will improve the way dementia care is delivered.
- Legendary singer Tony Bennett passed away. He and his family had announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2021, helping to raise awareness and inspiring all those affected by the disease.
August
- The Greater Indiana Chapter partnered with The National Center for Racial Equity and Inclusion at Martin University to host the Public Health Summit Series: Alzheimer’s Community Forum.
- The Alzheimer’s Association presented State Senator Vaneta Becker (R – Evansville) and State Representative Gregory Porter (D – Indianapolis) with Legislative Champion Awards for their work in making Indiana a more dementia-capable state.
September
- The 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s season kicked off in Greater Indiana and continued through October. Walks were held in East Central Indiana (Richmond), Lake County, Michiana, Heartland (Muncie/Anderson), Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Bloomington, Porter County, Fort Wayne, LaPorte County, Columbus, and Greater Lafayette. In all, more than 1,000 teams and 8,000 participants raised over $2 million.
- The Greater Indiana Chapter sponsored the 2023 Indiana Latino Expo. Staff and volunteers also provided information about resources offered in English and Spanish, including the 24/7 Helpline, which offers assistance through bilingual staff and an interpreter service that accommodates more than 200 languages.
October
- Kate Foley, Ph.D., a post-doctoral fellow at Indiana University, was named the inaugural Dr. Mel Perelman Fellow for Alzheimer’s Research.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will cover PET imaging for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.
November
- The Alzheimer’s Association announced a milestone investment of $100 million in research initiatives in 2023 — the largest single-year investment since the organization was founded in 1980.
- The annual Indiana Life Sciences Summit focused on Indiana’s role in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Greater Indiana Chapter board member Dr. Bruce Lamb was presented with the 2023 Watanabe Life Sciences Champion award.
- Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away. Her family had bravely shared her dementia diagnosis in May. For decades, Ms. Carter worked to improve the health and wellbeing of family caregivers through the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.
December
- Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor passed away. In a letter to the American people in 2018, she bravely shared her dementia diagnosis. She also played an important role in making Alzheimer’s the national priority it is today, driven by her own experience as a caregiver for her husband who had the disease.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success. If you’re interested in getting involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s in 2024, visit alz.org/Indiana/volunteer and fill out our interest form.