123STA T . 3 7 2 9PROCL A M AT I O N84 4 6— OCT. 3 0, 2009 Proclam a ti o n84 4 6 o fO cto be r 30,2 00 9Nation a lA l zhe i m e r’sD isease A w areness M onth ,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Everyda y ,mil li ons o fA meri c an families e xp erience th e diffic u lt re - ality of Al z heimer ’ s disease .T he physical and emotional demands of carin g for a loved one w ith Alzheimer’s can b e overwhelming, but no one should face this disease alone. D uring N ational Alzheimer’s Dis- ease Awareness M onth, we recognize all those living with Alzheimer’s disease and honor the caregivers, including families and friends, who support them. W e also renew our commitment to research that is im- proving treatments for this illness and may one day prevent it entirely. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thin k ing skills. S ymptoms usually appear after age 60 , but many scientists now believe damage to the brain may begin decades earlier. R esearch conducted and supported by the National I nstitutes of H ealth and the V eterans Health Administra- tion has shed light on these early effects and identified genetic risk fac- tors for Alzheimer’s. Doctors are now able to start treatments earlier, slowing the loss of brain cells and the progression of debilitating phys- ical and mental impairments. As we seek hope for families struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, we must leave no avenue unexplored. Embryonic stem cells may hold the key for us to better understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions. That is why I signed an Executive O rder lifting the ban on F ederal funding for embryonic stem cell re- search, with proper guidelines and strict oversight to prohibit abuse. We must continue the urgent work of giving substance to hope for all who dream of a day when words like ‘ ‘terminal’’ and ‘‘incurable’’ are finally retired from our vocabulary. U ntil then, we must strive to ease the burden of every individual struggling to recall a spouse’s name
every parent unable to recognize a child’s face; and every family mem- ber or friend who brings them comfort and care. NOW, THEREFORE, I, B ARA CK OBAMA, P resident of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Novem- ber 2 00 9 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appro- priate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the year of our L ord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. BARACK OBAMA
