Dear Sarah,

Alzheimer’s disease is ravaging millions of Americans, mostly seniors, but not always the elderly. That is why I write you—because we don’t choose to become advocates; we are called to action by our loved ones.

As I listened to your recent interview with Sean Hannity my heart was warmed to hear you pledge to advocate for the prevention and cure of diseases that challenge America’s families:

Sean Hannity: Governor, have you spoken with Senator McCain about your specific role in the McCain administration?

Sarah Palin: Yes, absolutely. Absolutely…. Another thing that we’ll talk about also is the role that I will play that is very near and dear to my heart. And that’s helping families with special-needs children and being able to strengthen our National Institute of Health also and find cures for presently incurable diseases.

Sarah, you need to know that every child with Down’s syndrome has three copies of chromosome 21 in every cell of their body, and every Down’s syndrome child develops Alzheimer’s disease by the time they’re 30 to 40 years old. That’s the reason scientists are researching Alzheimer’s and Down’s syndrome. In fact, research suggests Alzheimer’s disease may even be a form of Down’s syndrome. You will be happy to know that many bright and energetic scientists are “on the case” bringing hope to those whose loved ones are affected by genetic disorders.

Let me tell you why I care. My dad was an arch-typical member of the “greatest generation” who graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1930, but was too poor to go to college. Working for three years in a saw mill at a dollar a day, he saved $300 to open a grocery store in the midst of the Great Depression. Serving as a naval aviator during World War II he returned home to raise a family and send his kids to college before retiring in 1977.

Dad’s “long goodbye” began just before I was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1996. Although Mom did a good job of covering up his memory problem, I came face to face with it one day when I asked him for some advice—receiving only his loving, but empty gaze. Looking into his eyes was painful. He was a long way along on his “journey” with Alzheimer’s disease. It hurt. That was a dark day—one shared by millions of daughters and sons, and spouses, every day in America.

Dad’s dementia accelerated. His health failed rapidly, as did Mom’s—as is the case for most caregivers. Dad came down with pneumonia, the “old man’s relief” the doctor said, and he unexpectedly passed away on Election Day, the first Tuesday in November of 1998—while I was out campaigning and electioneering. So, in a quiet moment that day I resolved that I would do everything in my power to take down the “beast” called Alzheimer’s disease.

Later, as Speaker of the Florida House, God placed me in the position to urge the Florida Legislature to create and fund a world-class Alzheimer’s disease research center on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa—the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute. By 2005, the Byrd Institute was named the first Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Florida by the National Institutes of Health, with a goal of bringing together internationally recognized scientists in a collaborative environment geared to accelerate Alzheimer’s disease research.

This March, the Byrd Institute scientists announced research findings that, “…suggest Alzheimer’s disease may be a form of Down’s Syndrome…. Understanding the link between Down’s Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease—that they are partly the same disease—has potentially important implications for both diagnosis and therapy….”

Sarah, on a quiet moment this Election Day, either as our vice president-elect or as governor of Alaska, I pray that you will renew your pledge to take on the “beasts” called Alzheimer’s disease and Down’s syndrome.