Reflections on five years of Join Dementia Research
Today, Monday 24 February 2020, marks five years since Join Dementia Research launched throughout the UK.
To mark the occasion, we asked some of the people closest to the service to share their thoughts on how far Join Dementia Research has come.
Hilary Doxford, Join Dementia Research volunteer and champion
“When I was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, it felt like I’d lost control of my destiny. By getting involved with Join Dementia Research, I found a renewed purpose in life. Instead of dwelling on the bad, I now focus on the potential that research has to improve life for so many. I would encourage anybody living with dementia to sign up to Join Dementia Research and find out about what opportunities are available. In my eyes, Join Dementia Research offers incredible hope for the future.”
Alan Richardson, Join Dementia Research champion
“It’s hard to believe Join Dementia Research is already 5 years old! I’m proud to have been a Join Dementia Research champion since 2015. After my late mother was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia, I spent 15 years caring for her. Once she passed away in 2009, I wanted to give something back. By championing Join Dementia Research, I’m helping make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia. It has also opened up opportunities for me to support research myself. Everybody needs to have the chance to take part in research, and Join Dementia Research makes this possible.”
Professor Martin Rossor, NIHR National Director for Dementia Research
“I am very proud to see Join Dementia Research celebrate its 5th birthday. Although still young, it has already had a lot of success – making it easier for people to take part in research. The majority of the 27,807 study participants would not have had the opportunity to engage in research if it wasn’t for Join Dementia Research. I am very grateful to all those who have registered so far.
“However we cannot rest on this success. If we want to continue to make a difference, beyond our 6th, 7th, or even 10th birthdays, we need more people to get involved. That’s why we’re asking everyone to tell at least one other person about the opportunity to take part in research. The more people who register with Join Dementia Research, the faster we can make a difference to the lives of everyone affected by dementia.”
Ian Wilson, Chief Executive Officer from Alzheimer’s Research UK
“Alzheimer’s Research UK is pleased to support Join Dementia Research, and it’s fantastic to see the service reach its fifth birthday.
“Volunteers both with and without dementia play an essential role in helping researchers to understand the causes of disease like Alzheimer’s and driving improvements in diagnosis, treatment and risk reduction. We would like to thank all those who’ve given their valuable time to take part in dementia research.
“While this birthday is an important milestone, we still have work to do. With new studies being added to Join Dementia Research every week, there are always opportunities for new participants and we encourage anyone over the age of 18 living in the UK to register to take part.”
Dr James Pickett, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Society
“Dementia research is driven by people power. Without people living with dementia and healthy volunteers, it simply would not be possible for the world-leading researchers we support across the UK to develop new treatments and understand how best we care for people with dementia today.
“Alzheimer’s Society is proud to be a partner in Join Dementia Research which has changed the face of dementia research over the last 5 years bringing passionate participants and ground breaking research studies together. Research isn’t just about testing new drugs, through Join Dementia Research there is something for everyone, from taking part in an exercise programme to simply sharing your experience of dementia.”
Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland
“Join Dementia Research has made great strides in supporting dementia research over the past five years. We wish to extend our congratulations to all those researchers, partners and champions for bringing dementia research to the public at large, but most of all a thank you to the many thousands of people who have registered to take part in vital dementia research.
“Research is essential to develop our understanding of dementia prevention, how to improve the quality of life of those living with the illness and will ultimately help to find a cure. We are delighted to be a partner in Join Dementia Research and we look forward to continuing to play a crucial role in supporting potential breakthroughs and advancing dementia care and treatment.”
Help celebrate five years of Join Dementia Research
We’re not asking for gifts or cards for our fifth birthday. Instead, you can help us celebrate by sending this card to someone you know who might be interested in research.
It could be a friend or family member. Approximately 34.5 million of us in the UK know somebody with dementia. Imagine the difference we could make if we all told just one person about Join Dementia Research.
Who will you send a card to? It could be someone living with dementia, a carer, a loved one, or anyone else you think should be aware.
The more people who know about Join Dementia Research and register, the more researchers can find the participants they need for their studies to reach their potential.