In 1996, Carleton student Greg Neil and his brother Ross, made a unique and inspiring journey across Canada. Greg is now a third year student in environmental studies at Carleton. Two years ago, he and Ross decided to cycle across Canada to promote increased understanding of this disease.
Alzheimer disease affects the brain gradually but severely, impairing memory and cognition.
At present, the disease is irreversible and incurable, although exciting new research makes innovative treatments conceivable for the future. Many people, according to Greg, perceive Alzheimer's primarily as a disease of elderly people, and all too often this brain condition is belittled for its association with senility. In Greg's view, until recently, inadequate funding for medical research accompanied the lack of understanding of the disease. In addition, people who care for their loved ones have little spare time left over to lobby for improved resources and research. So, in the summer of 1996, Greg and Ross decided to combine the sport that they love with a goal to educate people about the effects of this disease.