The Spanish Confederation of Alzheimer and other Dementias (CEAFA) has managed to gather more than 5,000 signatures in less than two weeks in the campaign launched on Change.org, which demands that the Ministry of Health cover the cost of lecanemab and donanemab with public funds, the first drugs capable of slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s.
"All these signatures represent a commitment to a common cause: that this opportunity is not a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. We are very grateful for the support received, but it is still not enough. We have not yet reached our goal and we need this voice to keep growing," says Jesús Rodrigo, director of CEAFA.
The initiative "We cannot wait any longer: public funding for Alzheimer’s treatments" was launched on October 13 and is supported by a previous movement, visible weeks earlier, when more than 500 people with Alzheimer’s, family members, and professionals participated in the video of the same name directed at the Ministry of Health.
CEAFA emphasizes that reaching this figure highlights that the demand for access to new therapies is a concern shared by a significant part of the citizenry. However, it insists that time "is running against those who can still benefit from them today."
"Alzheimer’s does not wait and, when the disease progresses, the possibility of receiving treatment can disappear forever," for this reason the Confederation renews its call to families, caregivers, professionals, associations, and the entire society to join with their signature and help spread the campaign in their environments and social networks.
"We have reached 5,000 signatures, but we want to go much further. The more people join, the harder it will be to ignore this demand," adds Rodrigo, who along with CEAFA will deliver the signatures to the Ministry of Health so that each one reaches those who have the capacity to change this decision.