05 July 2023 , 10:55
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Fiona Phillips is taking part in clinical trials to find a cure for her Alzheimer's.
The TV presenter was diagnosed with the disease aged just 61 and has now revealed how she has been dealing with the disease.
The now 62-year-old has revealed that she is taking part in clinical trials in an effort to cure her.
Phillips, who is an Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, told the Mirror: "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me.
"And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it – it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
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Fiona Phillips was diagnosed aged 61 (Getty Images)
Fiona is taking part in clinical trials (Getty Images Europe)The journalist has been open in the past about her mother and father both having Alzheimer's.
Fiona is looking at the prospect of the clinical trials positively and wants to help the future of those who are diagnosed.
She said: "I am very positive about the trials - but I have to be.
"I want to try to make things better for people in the future who have this disease. And also I think now I have to talk about it openly. I have been reluctant to do it because I think people look at you in a different way if they think you have Alzheimer’s.
"But attitudes change.. People used to only refer to ‘Cancer’ as the ‘Big C’ in hushed tones but that has all gone now - maybe it can be the same for Alzheimer’s.
"But most of all we have to find a cure or way of managing this terrible disease because it is crippling people - and crippling the health service. Care homes are full of people with it."
Fiona said that she can't "accept" having the disease and wants to remain active in finding a cure.
"That’s why I want to do the trials", she says. "I can’t just lie down and accept it. Especially as I have already been through so much of it. I have to do something to help end this bloody awful disease."