The best selling Author Terry Pratchett is donating $1 million (around £494,000) for research into the Alzheimer's disease. Mr Pratchett was diagnosed with a rare early-onset form of the disease in december which has triggered a self confessed "fight" to find a cure.

Mr Pratchett highlighted the lack of funds surrounding Alzheimers disease, comparing the funding of it (£11 per person) to the funding of Cancer (£289 per person). The donation by Mr Pratchett was welcomed by the Alzheimers Research Trust which is currently turning down two out of three research projects due to lack of funds. Rebecca Wood the Chief Executive of the Trust said :

"Whilst we were deeply saddened to learn of Mr Pratchett's diagnosis, we are delighted that he has chosen to speak out about his experiences with Alzheimer's disease, to raise awareness about its impact and the desperate need for more research.

"Research is the only way to beat this disease and help people like Terry - to prevent them losing their thinking skills and keep them doing the things they love."

Source : BBC News online
Date : 13/3/2008

Click HERE to read full Article