By Hope Dean, Published: Feb. 21, 2024 at 3:31 PM EST
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A veteran from Ellenwood is being recognized by a nonprofit foundation for helping advance research on Alzheimer’s disease.
Rod Barber won the National Citizen Scientist Catalyst Award, the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation announced on Monday. He has volunteered at CenExel iResearch in Decatur since 2019, enlisting in several clinical trials and working to recruit more participants.
“Alzheimer’s disease has become more of an issue as more people are aging, and I want to help myself and others that will benefit from the study,” Barber said. “I grasp the importance of getting people involved and think we’re on our way.”
Barber has a family history of Alzheimer’s. So when he noticed his memory was lapsing, he knew he had to get involved in research, according to his nominee profile.
But Barber didn’t stop there. He has become the face of Alzheimer’s research in Ellenwood, recruiting other research trial volunteers by passing around business cards, brochures and pamphlets made from newspaper clippings.
“In our world of electronics and social media, Rod keeps it ‘old school,’ and that is crucial for recruiting in this population, who often feel less comfortable navigating online platforms and may prefer to speak to a person directly,” Jessica Certain, a nurse at CenExel iResearch, said. “Rod has taken outreach and recruitment to the next level, and we are thrilled that he has received the Catalyst Award.”
More than 150,000 people have Alzheimer’s disease in Georgia — and experts predict that number will increase to 190,000 by 2025, the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation said.
But despite the outlook, Barber said advocating for and participating in research gives him hope.
But Barber didn’t stop there. He has become the face of Alzheimer’s research in Ellenwood, recruiting other research trial volunteers by passing around business cards, brochures and pamphlets made from newspaper clippings.
“In our world of electronics and social media, Rod keeps it ‘old school,’ and that is crucial for recruiting in this population, who often feel less comfortable navigating online platforms and may prefer to speak to a person directly,” Jessica Certain, a nurse at CenExel iResearch, said. “Rod has taken outreach and recruitment to the next level, and we are thrilled that he has received the Catalyst Award.”
More than 150,000 people have Alzheimer’s disease in Georgia — and experts predict that number will increase to 190,000 by 2025, the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation said.
But despite the outlook, Barber said advocating for and participating in research gives him hope.