JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - One of the largest drug companies, Pfizer, is ending its research efforts when it comes to discovering new drugs, especially those that could cure Alzheimer's.
Sherri Mitchell, a Jacksonville woman, recently lost her father to Alzheimer's told First Coast News she is heartbroken at the news.
"It's the most horrible horrific disease, I wouldn't want to wish it on my worst enemy," she said. "It's awful to see your family like that."
Mitchell said her dad was a Vietnam war veteran who served in the U.S. Navy.
"He was funny ... a supportive man, he served in the military for close to 30 years and so I think the hardest part was losing that part of him," she said.
Her dad died last August from the disease after being diagnosed two years ago. She said it progressed quickly.
"[From] not being able to remember words like 'train' or 'phone' to the talking thing ... [to] getting up in the morning and changing into his Navy uniform and he's been retired for years," she said.
She said Alzheimer's is often dismissed as old age, but the silent killer took away both of her parents.
She said hearing that Pfizer is stopping Alzheimer research is shocking.
"It's heartbreaking to me because there are so many people that are stricken with this," she said.
There's currently no cure for the disease that affects more than 30,000 people on the First Coast alone, according to Michelle Brenham with the Alzheimer's Association of North Florida. However, there is help available.
The chapter offers support groups, consultations and a 24-hour helpline all for free.
Brenham said they're not giving up just because Pfizer backed out.
"We'll advocate to legislators for more research funding for more respite care services and more free services all over the state," she said.
She and Mitchell hope the public too will join their fight against Alzheimer's.
"You'll lose your loved ones, but don't stop being their voice, and don't stop supporting this cause," Brenham said. "Not enough people know about it and unfortunately what happens is you don't know about it until it happens to you."
Click here to read the Alzheimer's Association's statement regarding Pfizer's announcement of ending research on Alzheimer's.