In an effort to educate the public about the state of Alzheimer’s disease and the urgent need for research funding, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund has held more than a dozen State of the Mind presentations across the country this past year, each one featuring a leading scientist who has received a research grant. In some cases, generous supporters sponsor the event for friends and family.

On Sept. 7, Rick and Sharon Fownes of Duxbury, Massachusetts, hosted a State of the Mind presentation in their yard overlooking the ocean. Neighbors, friends and family gathered to learn about Alzheimer’s research and what they can do to reduce risk. Sharon’s father, a retired M.D., has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which inspired the Fowneses to host the event. The presentation featured Lisa Genova, Ph.D., neuroscientist and best-selling author of “Still Alice,” and Rob Moir, Ph.D., Director of the Moir Lab, Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Research. “The Fowneses introduced CureAlz to so many wonderful, interested and generous friends, and the event exceeded all of our expectations,” said John Slattery, Senior Vice President, Development, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.

CureAlz held two additional State of the Mind presentations late this summer. One was in Chicago at The Gage restaurant and featured Robert Vassar, Ph.D., from Northwestern University. The other event, held at The Mansion at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland, was supported by donors including the Akman, Hollander and Capon families. There, Jonathan Kipnis, Ph.D., from the University of Virginia presented his research related to his lab’s discovery of the lymphatic system in the brain and its relationship to Alzheimer’s disease.

With each State of the Mind presentation we continue to reach out to new audiences and build awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and the need for a cure.