Jon Snow responds to outpouring of support following Alzheimer's diagnosis

Alzheimer’s Society has seen a sharp rise in website visitors following the announcement that veteran news anchor Jon Snow is living with Alzheimer’s disease.  

Jon, who is supporting the charity, revealed the news on Friday evening in an exclusive interview for the Daily Mail alongside his wife, Dr Precious Lunga.

Compared with the same period the previous week, the charity saw a 148% increase in views of its dementia symptoms checklist, a tool to help people discuss concerns with a GP. Traffic was up by 58% across the wider website.  

The charity also saw more than 5,000 people put their names to its open letter calling on the government to make dementia a priority.  

Jon's response to the outpouring of support

Jon, who shared his story publicly to raise awareness and help effect positive change, said:

'I’m truly bowled over by the outpouring of support and affection since revealing my dementia diagnosis.  

'As a journalist, you never expect to become the story, but it’s heartening to know that sharing my experience has contributed to a surge in visits to Alzheimer’s Society’s website, with people seeking information, support and ways to get involved in the fight against dementia.

Receiving a dementia diagnosis can turn your world upside down, but I really do believe it’s better to know. Too many people are experiencing delays in diagnosis - on average 3.5 years - meaning they’re left in limbo without the help they need.  

'An early diagnosis can open the door to treatment, support, care and the chance to take part in research that could change the future. People living with dementia and their families have waited long enough for change. We must demand better for everyone affected.  

I would urge everyone to join me in signing Alzheimer’s Society’s open letter calling on government to deliver a bold and ambitious plan for dementia.

Jon and Precious have joined our Ambassadors and supporters, including Dame Meera Syal and Sir Jonathan Pryce, in calling for change.

Demanding better for people living with dementia

Michelle Dyson CB, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, said:

'Jon and his wife Precious experienced first-hand the importance of an early and accurate diagnosis, and now they’re supporting our call to the Government for a bold and ambitious plan for dementia.  

'For too long, people living with dementia, and their families and carers, have not been prioritised. Diagnosis takes too long if it comes at all, there is minimal specialist support and the most transformative treatments remain out of reach for NHS patients. 

We wouldn’t accept this injustice for cancer and we must demand better for people living with dementia.

Jon’s diagnosis announcement was met with heartfelt messages of support from the former broadcaster’s colleagues, friends and other well-known names, including singer Annie Lennox who called Jon 'the most wonderful gentleman you could ever have the privilege of meeting'.

Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia. Yet over a third of people living with the condition in the UK don’t have a formal diagnosis.

'Jon Snow: A Last Big Story', produced by Basement Films, follows life for Jon and Precious as they come to terms with his diagnosis, with Jon also coming out of retirement for one last investigation to uncover a mining disaster in Zambia.