Over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia.
In just 25 years, that number is estimated to rise to 152 million people.
Dementia impacts memory, independence and identity, and places a huge strain on families and society.
In the UK alone, dementia currently costs £42.5 billion each year. By 2040, that’s expected to more than double.
Research is advancing.
But progress takes time – and time matters.
In 2014, Lady Helen Stewart was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Her husband, Sir Jackie Stewart – three-time Formula 1 World Champion – founded Race Against Dementia to apply the precision, pace and ingenuity of elite motorsport to dementia research.
Like millions of other families, the Stewarts experienced first-hand how dementia changes lives. It also reinforced the belief that progress could – and should – move faster.
‘My mother’s diagnosis was devastating. That pain fuels our drive for change – not just for us, but for all families affected by dementia. My father brings the same unwavering determination to this cause as he did on the racetrack. He doesn’t give up. He keeps going – and so do we.’
Mark Stewart
Dementia changes how the brain works. It can impact memory, thinking, communication and decision-making, making everyday life more difficult.
It’s not a single disease, but an umbrella term for a range of conditions. There are over 200 different types, each affecting people in different ways.
Different forms of dementia damage different parts of the brain. Some primarily affect memory. Others change behaviour, personality or communication long before memory loss appears.
Symptoms get worse over time and can vary from person to person. It can affect anyone, at any age.
For decades, dementia research has struggled to keep pace with the scale of the challenge. That is beginning to change.
New technologies and a deeper understanding of the brain are opening new possibilities for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Dementia research is opening new paths to understanding, treating and preventing dementia. Race Against Dementia identifies promising scientists early and applies the precision and pace of Formula 1 to the search for treatments and a cure.
The goal is not simply to fund more research. The goal is to help good research move faster and reach people sooner.
If you believe dementia research should move faster, join us.
If you are looking for information about dementia, diagnosis, care or local support organisations, find out more here.
Race Against Dementia does not provide clinical care or direct support services.
