LET’S COME TOGETHER TO HELP RICHARD!
Donation protected
LET’S COME TOGETHER TO HELP RICHARD!
Richard, my husband, has primary progressive aphasia (PPA). This is a neurological condition whereby Richard forgets huge numbers of words, resulting in his difficulty to understand or carry on conversations. He virtually can no longer read.
PPA fits under the larger category of FTD—frontal temporal dementia. Richard and I noticed around 2010 that he had difficulty reading the paper and following discussions during community meetings he regularly attended.
Doctors know of no cure for PPA and his condition will continue to worsen. Richard is a professional artist but can no longer continue his career as an architectural renderer (drawing and painting future buildings). Thankfully, Richard maintains a positive outlook. He takes his condition in stride, telling people that he has aphasia and more memory problems. He is physically active, regularly jogging or walking, and he continues to paint beautifully.
There’s hope! A recent clinical study conducted at Temple University showed some promising results in reversing dementia [https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-reversed-some-dementia-alzheimers-effects-in-mice]. Dementia-induced mice “engineered to have similar dementia problems of 60- year-old humans” were given a safe drug, Zileuton, for 16 weeks. This drug has been used to treat asthma for over 20 years. The mice at the end of the treatment showed a reversal of their dementia compared to those given placebos.
I have decided to try this treatment for Richard. He will take the drug zileuton for 16 weeks. His doctor has prescribed the medication for him but Medicare will not cover the cost of the drug, since it recognizes the drug only as a treatment for asthma.
The cost of a 30-day supply of zileuton is $1,459.37 so the total cost for 16 weeks of the drug is approximately $6,000. This will be a financial strain on us at this time in our life, but I feel I have to give this a try. Nothing else has helped.
We’re asking for your help. Every amount, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.
We know Richard as an ardent mentor to black youth, a community activist, and a fun-loving person. We’d all love to see that side of Richard again!
Estrellita (and Richard)
Franciscan Monastery, Washington, D.C. by Richard Fitzhugh Richard's website is http://richardfitzhugh.com
Richard, my husband, has primary progressive aphasia (PPA). This is a neurological condition whereby Richard forgets huge numbers of words, resulting in his difficulty to understand or carry on conversations. He virtually can no longer read.
PPA fits under the larger category of FTD—frontal temporal dementia. Richard and I noticed around 2010 that he had difficulty reading the paper and following discussions during community meetings he regularly attended.
Doctors know of no cure for PPA and his condition will continue to worsen. Richard is a professional artist but can no longer continue his career as an architectural renderer (drawing and painting future buildings). Thankfully, Richard maintains a positive outlook. He takes his condition in stride, telling people that he has aphasia and more memory problems. He is physically active, regularly jogging or walking, and he continues to paint beautifully.
There’s hope! A recent clinical study conducted at Temple University showed some promising results in reversing dementia [https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-reversed-some-dementia-alzheimers-effects-in-mice]. Dementia-induced mice “engineered to have similar dementia problems of 60- year-old humans” were given a safe drug, Zileuton, for 16 weeks. This drug has been used to treat asthma for over 20 years. The mice at the end of the treatment showed a reversal of their dementia compared to those given placebos.
I have decided to try this treatment for Richard. He will take the drug zileuton for 16 weeks. His doctor has prescribed the medication for him but Medicare will not cover the cost of the drug, since it recognizes the drug only as a treatment for asthma.
The cost of a 30-day supply of zileuton is $1,459.37 so the total cost for 16 weeks of the drug is approximately $6,000. This will be a financial strain on us at this time in our life, but I feel I have to give this a try. Nothing else has helped.
We’re asking for your help. Every amount, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.
We know Richard as an ardent mentor to black youth, a community activist, and a fun-loving person. We’d all love to see that side of Richard again!
Estrellita (and Richard)
Franciscan Monastery, Washington, D.C. by Richard Fitzhugh Richard's website is http://richardfitzhugh.comOrganizer
Estrellita Fitzhugh
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC