Today my mom woulda be 86

[Catherine]

There are some small Alzheimer's fund raisers, but it only effects older people(early onset is uncommon). It will never have the appeal of cancer.
Cancer can happen to anyone, even babies. It has a universal  appeal for fundraising. 
You are right, cancer, cancer fundraising and  cancer societies and groups have become an industry in themselves.
A lot of people work in that industry.

I wish there was more research being done. There has been progress and some forms of cancer are treatable.
We certainly have better detection methods. Of course now they push people to be screened for all kinds of things even when there is no indication. They have created a fear of cancer in some people.  

We would do well to focus of general good health and nutrition. That would help eliminate a lot of things like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart conditions. In the process of focusing on good health we would reduce some cancers and people would be better able to overcome them if they were healthy.

We won't do that of course. We will continue to have big fundraisers and keep the disease industry going.