NJ Alzheimer's Town Hall: Why Clinical Trials May Hold the Key to a Cure
Experts, advocates gathered at Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, NJ, for an Alzheimer's Research and Awareness Town Hall.
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease brings more questions than answers, and the audience gathered at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, had plenty at the Alzheimer's Research and Awareness Town Hall on Tuesday in Tenafly, NJ.
The gathering was organized by The Clinical Research Center of New Jersey, which has offices in Springfield and Ridgewood. The hour and a half session focused on the importance of people participating in clinical trials.
"She was right there...for the clinical trial," CEO the of Voices of Alzheimer's, Jim Taylor, speaking of his former wife, Geri.
Geri was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The couple has made it their mission to make resources and information available to victims and their caregivers struggling with the disease.
"They are the unsung heroes. We will never get a cure," said Marlene Ceragno, JCC Director of Caregiver Services.
Among the audience members was the President of the Alzheimer's Association, Paul Irwin-Dudek. According to him, Nina Pineda's Instagram post about Bill Ritter's Alzheimer's diagnosis created a surge of traffic to their website.
"Social media was extremely flooded. Not only that, but hits to our website from people looking for information. But more importantly, people are calling our helpline. To see someone like Bill, who has been in our living rooms and been part of our households for decades talk about his journey, helps a lot," said Irwin-Dudek.
Ceragno knows how critical support is to finding a cure for Alzheimer's. She heads caregivers services at the Kaplen JCC for members with dementia.
"Most people who are in a clinical trial actually benefit from hopefullness. They feel a sense of camaraderie. They have a place to have their questions answered. They have a place to relay their fears and to be given a lot of emotional support," said Dr. Michelle Papka.
The doctor also said the first person to be cured of Alzheimer's will likely come from a clinical trial.
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