Race Against Dementia

The statistics are frightening.

50 million people around the world currently have dementia. A new person develops the condition every three seconds. And without a cure, one in three people born today will get dementia in their lifetime^[1].

Yet dementia research is chronically underfunded, with not enough researchers and clinicians joining the fight against the disease.

Race Against Dementia is a global charity founded by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart OBE following his wife Lady Helen’s diagnosis with the condition. It raises money to fund breakthrough and innovative dementia research.

Race Against Dementia set up its Fellowship Programme to change the narrative around dementia research, through funding ground-breaking new research from early-career scientists. The programme has been brought about in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, a hub for the UK Dementia Research Institute which is currently leading a UK-wide study on vascular dementia.

Optical Express, Europe’s leading provider of eye surgery, is committed to conducting the latest research in eye health. In a unique initiative which hopes to achieve a breakthrough in the prevention or treatment of dementia, the company’s clinicians partner with the UK Dementia Research Institute to support new approaches which allow better understanding of the treatment and prevention of dementia’s underlying diseases.

Through linking the vast databases and state-of-the-art technology at Optical Express with the Institute’s pre-eminent research teams, the potential to bring about advances which do more to tackle dementia is vast.

Optical Express is proud to support the charity's work in other ways, including high-visibility fundraising activity which raises vital funds for the pioneering Fellowship programme.

The business will continue to support Race Against Dementia in the coming months and years as part of its long-term commitment to corporate social responsibility.