Tourney raises funds for Alzheimer’s research

BY STACI WILSON

For 12 years Katlyn Morrison, who is entering her senior year at Montrose Area High School, watched as her grandmother battled Alzheimer’s Disease until she passed away from the illness in October 2010.

Her first-hand experiences growing up with a family member afflicted with the sixth deadliest disease inspired her to hold a golf tournament to raise awareness and funds as part of her senior project.

Morrison raised $11,316 at the tournament, held June 5 at Tall Pines in Friendsville. Those funds have been earmarked for Alzheimer’s research.

Morrison presented the check to Barbara Wilson, of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Wilkes-Barre, on Thursday at the high school.

Wilson said that although progress has been made in the treatment of the disease more was still needed.

“There have been positive things in the research but we’re still not near a cure,” Wilson said.

She said the first priority of research was to find drugs that would, if not cure Alzheimer’s altogether, would work to slow down the progression of the disease in those affected.

Wilson said about one-third of families in the United States are affected by Alzheimer’s and expects the numbers to rise with the aging of the Baby Boomers.

Morrison said that she knew of other Montrose students who have a family member with the disease.

Many of those who have Alzheimer’s are cared for by family members.

“The cost (of care) to a family is an unwritten cost to the healthcare system,” Wilson said. The overall cost of that care in the billions of dollars range, she added.