Erased memories

The number of dementia patients is rising rapidly. Around 28 000 new patients are added every year. Researchers expect that by 2040, up to 300,000 people in Switzerland will have Alzheimer’s disease. This condition is thus advancing to become a widespread disease because it can affect anyone. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s research is not yet as advanced as cancer research, for example. The Synapsis Foundation – Alzheimer Research Switzerland wants to change this, supporting basic and clinical research. The foundation supports young, talented researchers at universities and other institutions in Switzerland. The foundation supports young, talented researchers at universities and other institutions in Switzerland. Synapsis relies on donations from the public for its funding. On World Alzheimer’s Day, we were allowed to develop a fundraising campaign for the foundation. It used erased text passages that made it difficult to read—illustrating what happens in the minds of Alzheimer’s patients as the disease progresses. The mailing called on 1.2 million Swiss households to donate so that medicine against Alzheimer’s can be developed as soon as possible and the memories of those affected are not simply erased.