Sir Cliff Richard, ADI's Centenary Patron
I am happy to lend my support to and act as Patron for Alzheimer's Disease International in this landmark year. Having first-hand experience of life with dementia - sadly my mother suffers from this disease - I'm well aware of the huge impact Alzheimer's disease can have on both the person affected and their loved ones.
Despite huge and rapidly increasing numbers of people with dementia, the disease does not receive the attention and recognition it deserves. Dementia is still surrounded by stigma and myth, which act as barriers in securing adequate care and treatment.
Having seen the effects of Alzheimer's disease on my mother, I am only too pleased to identify with the work of ADI and to support their centenary initiatives. This year is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the disease, and I hope that together we can make governments and the public sit up and realise its devastating effects on people and families worldwide.
I send ADI and all its members around the world my very best wishes for the coming year. I'll be following your progress up Mount Kilimanjaro, and hope that all your international events raise as much awareness as this important cause deserves.
Sincerely
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE