Running for the Czech Alzheimer Foundation’s Refugee Fund
Lydia Piendel
On behalf of the Czech Alzheimer Foundation I ran the Prague Half Marathon on April 2nd and I will be taking on another half-marathon in Puglia on May 8th. In total I am running this marathon distance to raise money and support the Alzheimer Nadačni fond prepares to welcome scientist-refugees from Ukraine!
As of March 11th, more than 200,000 refugees, primarily women and children, have arrived in Prague to find respite from the war in Ukraine – that number is expected to double soon. The Czech Ministry of the Interior has registered more than 70,000 people who are having to start their lives over here. Many of them worked in Ukraine as scientists, researchers, doctors, nurses, and in other careers; now they are having to find work in a new language, find homes, and find income and stability.
The Czech Alzheimer Foundation (Alzheimer nadační fond, www.alzheimernf.cz/en/) is preparing to support Ukrainian refugees arriving to Prague, specifically the many scientists, doctors, caregivers, and the elderly who have been displaced.
I am an Alzheimer’s researcher with the Czech Brain Aging Study (www.cbas.cz) who was supported by the Czech Alzheimer Foundation when I arrived in Prague several months ago. I am extraordinarily grateful to the Czech people for their kindness and hospitality. Now, I believe it is crucial to continue to show that hospitality and aid to the thousands of people arriving in Prague who need help.
Therefore, I ran the Prague Half Marathon on April 2nd on behalf of the Czech Alzheimer Foundation and I will be running the La Mezza Maratona delle Cattedrali in Puglia on May 8th, with the goal to raise enough funds to support the Foundation’s efforts for Ukrainian refugees. One of the Foundation’s most successful programs is the annual fund of 160,000 Czech crowns (approximately $7,000) which goes to scholarships for Mother-Scientists (https://www.alzheimernf.cz/en/#projects). I am to raise 160,000 Czk to prepare the Czech Alzheimer Foundation to support the refugees in Prague.
The Czech Republic is a small country and likewise the Czech Alzheimer Foundation is a small organization; this is extremely beneficial as we can offer both direct financial and personal welcome to refugees and the scientists we support.
As a woman in science and medicine, a foreigner in the Czech Republic, and a researcher and dementia caregiver for many years, I am extremely proud of the mission of the Czech Alzheimer Foundation to support dementia researchers and their initiative to help the Ukrainian refugees in Prague.
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There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but the sooner we diagnose its onset, the more chance we have of finding better treatment. Present day treatment options only deal with the symptoms of the disease. These medications do not prolong life expectancy, but they can postpone the most severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease and improve the memory, self-sufficiency, and quality of life of patients.
Our goal is to provide support so there are enough quality professionals in the Czech Republic - doctors, caregivers, scientists - to address the growing issue of Alzheimer's disease.
The Alzheimer's Foundation here in the Czech Republic supports experts who engage in research, diagnostics, treatment, and patient care. Thanks to our scholarship programs, young scientists and doctors – neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and other experts – can take part in internships at renowned foreign institutions and learn new approaches in their fields. Our condition is that they return to Czech Republic and apply their experiences and knowledge in their research here.
We also support Alzheimer’s disease research in our country, including contributing funding for local projects and visiting scientists. Of course we do not forget professional caregivers, advancements in psychotherapy, and other ways of improving the care of patients suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Our foundation's work may not be visible at first sight, but our behind the scenes work is extremely important. We believe that the most important factor is always the people; even the best equipment cannot work without top doctors and caregivers. www.alzheimernf.cz
