Gloria Hutto, third from left, presents a contribution to Don Bagwell, Department of Psychiatry, to assist in research at MUSC's Alzheimer's and Clinical Programs. Also making the contribution are from left: Rebecca Abraham, Iona Burton, Luvina Robinson and John Rickenbacker.

There are 4 million American families who know the anguish of Alzheimer's disease, and one Orangeburg family is determined to help find a cure. The family of Saul Rickenbacker is working to raise money for research; they recently contributed $600 to Alzheimer's Research and Clinical Programs at MUSC.

Rickenbacker and his wife, Rebecca, are residents of Lake Marion Nursing Center in Summerton. Rickenbacker is bedridden in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating illness that robs its victims of memory and independence.

The couple's nine children and a family friend, Fred Pauling Jr., decided to boost research into Alzheimer's with a Holiday Gala last December. The family sponsored a black tie dinner and dance at Kappa Kastle in Orangeburg, and decided to donate proceeds to the MUSC program.

“Our family knows the pain of having a loved one with Alzheimer's, said daughter Rebecca Abraham, “and we want to help find a cure for future generations, so children and grandchildren will benefit.”

The Rickenbacker contribution will be used by a program at MUSC which tests medications that ease the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. A portion of the donation will be used for educational materials for family caregivers.

Although no cure is available at present, progress is being made in helping Alzheimer's patients. “More information has been obtained in the last three years than in the entire last century,” said Jacobo Mintzer, M.D., co-director of the MUSC program. Mintzer said there are now medications and behavioral treatments that can help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer's.

“Our family's fund raising effort for Alzheimer's research is a way to contribute to society and honor our parents. We are now holding monthly meetings to plan for a second Holiday Gala next Christmas,”said daughter Iona Burton.

For more information about Alzheimer's disease, contact MUSC Alzheimer's Research and Clinical Programs at 740-1592.