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 19 July 2008 15:44 BST

25 million people affected by dementia

Tuesday, 20 May 2008 00:01
Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in December

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Over four in ten people in the UK are affected by dementia, a new survey has revealed today.

The poll for the Alzheimer's Research Trust (Art) found that 25 million people in the UK - 42 per cent of the UK population - know a close friend, family member or someone else with dementia.

About 700,000 people in the UK have the disease and this number is predicted to rise to 1.7 million by 2051.

The Art poll was released along with the announcement that Terry Pratchett, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in December last year, is to become a patron of Art.

The Discworld author recently donated $1 million (£514,000) to help find a cure for dementia and he said he is "proud" to be associated with the Art.

"Alzheimer's is a nasty disease, surrounded by shadows and small, largely unseen tragedies," Mr Pratchett said.

"I understand the desperation of sufferers and their carers and their hopes for, if not a cure, at least some regime that might help us live with Alzheimer's."

Art chief executive Rebecca Wood said the charity is "so pleased" to have Mr Pratchett's support, describing him as "an inspiration".

"With a force like Terry demanding a drastic increase in dementia research funding, the government must recognise soon that it can no longer put off urgently needed reform," she added.
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