It’s hard to believe that the famous “Who Shot J.R.” episode of “Dallas” aired 36 years ago, but it’s true! Time certainly does fly. In honor of the infamous episode starring Larry Hagman, his co-star Linda Gray is hosting a contest to raise awareness for healthier minds.
The #GrayMatters contest is part of the television actress’ fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Everyone who signs up for the Brain Health Registry earns a spot in the contest’s entry pool. The registry encourages people to attend clinical trials to helps find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Gray teamed up with the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation to host the trials and find a cure by 2025. This type of dementia is one of the fastest growing diseases without a cure.
The organization partners with UC San Francisco’s Brain Health Registry to perform its research along with major medical institutions across the country, including UCSF, researchers at Harvard Medical School, Emory University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, NeuroStudies.net., and Brain Matters Research.
In addition to no cure, there haven’t been new developments in Alzheimer’s medication or treatments in years. As the population grows older, the diagnoses are expected to increase even more.
Currently, more than half a million people die from Alzheimer’s each year. Also, the cases of early onset Alzheimer’s is increasing annually as well. Typically, this type of dementia is diagnosed in men and women over the age of 75, but cases are increasing in adults ages 30-50 as well.
“I lost my mother and a dear friend to Alzheimer’s disease and wanted to do something to help,” said Gray. “I hope this new campaign will encourage people to register at the Brain Health Registry and empower people to take action and make a difference.”
The “Lunch with Linda” contest includes roundtrip airfare for two, ground transportation, hotel and a lunch. (Location TBD)
Watch Linda’s PSA below and register for the Brain Health Registry by May 15 to win a lunch with the “Dallas” star!