Dementia is a looming health crisis that governments and healthcare providers are grappling with across the globe.
According to estimates by the World Health Organization, there are nearly 50 million people living with dementia worldwide, and this number is projected to triple by 2050. The disease affects not only the affected individuals but also their families, caregivers, and the healthcare system at large.
No cure or effective treatment for dementia exists, and despite decades of research, the mechanisms that cause the condition remain largely unknown.
But hope is on the horizon, and you could be the key to unlocking the secrets of dementia by joining a growing army of volunteers committed to solving this mystery.
What Is The Army of Two Million Volunteers?
The Army of Two Million Volunteers is an innovative global initiative aimed at harnessing the power of citizen science to accelerate research on dementia.
It was launched in 2018 by the UK-based charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, with the goal of recruiting two million people worldwide to play games on their smartphones that help researchers study the disease better.
By downloading and playing games such as Sea Hero Quest, Ebb and Flow, and Micro Maze, volunteers can help measure people’s navigational abilities, spatial awareness, and memory performance.
These are cognitive skills that deteriorate in people with dementia, and studying them could help researchers identify the early signs of the disease and develop new treatments.
Why Join The Army of Two Million Volunteers?
Joining the Army of Two Million Volunteers is an opportunity to make a difference in the fight against dementia while having fun and challenging yourself.
By playing games on your smartphone, you can contribute to cutting-edge research and help improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.
Here are some reasons why you should consider joining:.
You Don’t Need Any Special Skills
You don’t need to be a scientist or a medical professional to participate in the Army of Two Million Volunteers. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection to download and play the games.
The games are designed to be easy to play, and you get to choose when and where you want to play them.
You Can Play at Your Own Pace
There are no deadlines or time limits for playing the games, so you can do it at your own pace. You can play for a few minutes or several hours, depending on your schedule and preferences.
You can also pause, resume, or replay the games as many times as you like.
You Can See Your Impact
The data collected from the games is used by researchers to gain insights into how the brain works and how dementia affects it. You can see how much you’ve contributed to the research by checking your progress on the app’s dashboard.
You can also compare your scores with those of other players worldwide and see how you rank.
You Can Help Find a Cure for Dementia
Dementia is a complex disease that is caused by multiple factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Finding a cure or effective treatment for the condition requires a better understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
By participating in the Army of Two Million Volunteers, you can help accelerate the pace of research and bring us closer to a breakthrough.
How To Join The Army of Two Million Volunteers?
Joining the Army of Two Million Volunteers is easy and free. Here are the steps:.
- Download the Sea Hero Quest app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account using your email address or Facebook credentials.
- Select your preferred language and country.
- Choose your level of consent and read the information about data use and privacy.
- Complete the demographic questionnaire.
- Start playing the games and contributing to dementia research.
Who Is Behind The Army of Two Million Volunteers?
The Army of Two Million Volunteers was launched by Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity.
The organization’s mission is to find a cure for dementia by funding innovative research, campaigning for better care and support for people with the condition and their families, and raising awareness about the disease.
The Army of Two Million Volunteers has also received funding and support from several other partners, including Deutsche Telekom, the University of East Anglia, and the game development company Glitchers.
Conclusion
Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, and finding a cure or effective treatment for the condition requires a collective effort.
By joining the Army of Two Million Volunteers, you can play a vital role in unlocking the secrets of dementia and bringing us closer to a breakthrough. Download the app today and start playing!.