Two major dementia charities are set to deliver a ground-breaking project that aims to revolutionise early dementia diagnosis in the UK - thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK have formed a new partnership to deliver the ambitious project, which aims to enable the introduction of a simple blood test in the NHS that will help diagnose dementia.

As two of the leading dementia charities in the UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK recognise there is an urgent need for earlier and more accurate dementia diagnosis, and that the introduction of a blood test is a crucial part of that revolution.

This project will introduce a simple and inexpensive blood test to NHS settings that can detect Alzheimer’s disease at the early stages. This will enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis and give people a greater chance of benefiting from appropriate support and treatments.

With 1 in 3 people born today now expected to receive a dementia diagnosis in their lifetime, and breakthrough new drugs on the horizon, simple and early diagnosis is the missing piece of the puzzle – and that is what this revolutionary project will address, transforming the future of dementia diagnosis.

In addition, the project will focus on breaking down the stigma associated with dementia, encouraging people to seek out support if they are concerned about dementia and crucially improve early diagnosis rates.

The innovative charity collaboration has won the support of the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund.

The Dream Fund was created to give charities a chance to deliver projects they have always dreamed of but never had the opportunity to deliver.

The award of £5 million is the biggest in the Dream Fund’s history. It’s also the biggest single award ever made thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.To date, the fund has supported 36 ‘dream’ projects’, and awarded more than £24 million to inspirational initiatives – all thanks to funds raised by Postcode Lottery players across Britain.

Kate Lee, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK and People’s Postcode Lottery to deliver this revolutionary project, breaking down the stigma associated with dementia and providing hope to millions of people. Funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery will transform dementia diagnosis forever by accelerating the use of a revolutionary blood test on the NHS and crucially creating a legacy for millions of families in the future who will benefit from an early diagnosis.

“This announcement comes during Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest and longest running awareness campaign which, this year is focusing on the importance of diagnosis. With diagnosis rates at a five-year low, we need to act now to help end the devastation caused by dementia. We could not be more grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for helping us make this dream a reality.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “We are absolutely thrilled to join forces with Alzheimer’s Society and People’s Postcode Lottery to help end the heartbreak of dementia by radically reshaping how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed. Anxiously waiting months and months for a diagnosis is simply not good enough. People with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia deserve better. Making sure future generations won’t have to go through this lengthy worry by bringing a quick, simple blood test to the NHS is a wonderful legacy from People’s Postcode Lottery players all over the country. If we can fix diagnosis, we open the door for a cure.”

Clara Govier, Managing Director at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “This year’s Dream Fund award of £5 million is our biggest ever and will change lives for the better. We believe this new collaboration between two of the country’s leading Alzheimer’s charities has the potential to transform dementia diagnosis in the UK. It’s a bold ambition but, with one person in Britain developing dementia every three minutes, we must aim high. This is a condition which devastates lives and I know our millions of players will join me in wishing our charity partners every success.”

Hundreds of charity representatives from across Britain joined People’s Postcode Lottery as they hosted their annual Charity Gala in Edinburgh last night.

Over £1.1 billion has been raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, supporting charities across Britain and internationally.

ENDS.

Contact details

Alzheimer’s Society communication team

Office hours: 0207 423 3595

Out of hours: 07802 688 774

Email: press@alzheimers.org.uk

People’s Postcode Lottery communications team

Office hours: 0131 322 9378

Out of hours: 0131 378 1329

Email: communications@postcodelottery.co.uk

Images available here: https://omnibus.postcodelottery.co.uk/customshare/index/JbJaZ

Video footage available here: https://omnibus.postcodelottery.co.uk/customshare/index/ZvEMX

Image descriptions:

1. Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK being presented with their cheques by People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson

2. Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK with head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, Laura Chow

3. Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK with People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson

4. Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK with People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Matt Johnson and head of charities Laura Chow

Notes to editor

People’s Postcode Lottery is an external lottery manager which operates lotteries on behalf of 20 independent charitable Postcode Trusts. It is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission. Players have raised more than £1.1 billion for charities and good causes since 2005. Further information: www.postcodelottery.info

People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund is awarded by Postcode Innovation Trust which receives its funds from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The Dream Fund gives organisations the chance to deliver the project they have always dreamed of, but never had the opportunity to bring to life. Charitable organisations across Great Britain are asked to think big, be ambitious and collaborate with other not-for-profit partners to deliver their dream project.

For further information on The Dream Fund visit - https://www.postcodedreamfund.org.uk/dream-fund

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