With your help, we raise initial pilot funding that supports critical scientific trials. The results from these trials become the foundation for unlocking and securing larger research grants. This strategy leads to new treatments and breakthroughs for patients and their loved ones who become the beneficiaries of the latest advances.
Why did I partner with the University of Chicago’s Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Research Care (HAARC) Center?
Dr. Emily Rogalski, our long-time research partner at Northwestern Medicine, now serves as Director of the University of Chicago HAARC Center. Backed by a stellar team of experts, she’s carrying forward the mission we’ve always shared: to slow the progression of dementia and never stop searching for a cure. Dr. Rogalski is at the forefront of dementia research, particularly in the area of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).
Dr. Rogalski’s deep expertise and commitment to finding effective treatments have led to successful clinical trials in partnership with Run4Papa, which have significantly impacted the lives of PPA patients and their families.
The HAARC team is dedicated to slowing the progression of dementia with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Dr. Rogalski and her team continue to play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of this vicious disease.
HARRC Center Timeline
- September 1, 2023: The HAARC Center’s first official day at the University of Chicago
- August 23, 2024: 1st Enrollment of Communication Bridge 3 Trial
- November 14, 2024 : ADNI Hub Site Approval
- December 5, 2024: 1st Enrollment at UChicago ADNI Hub
- February 21, 2025: reached 300 participants in SuperAging
Northwestern Medicine Partnership (2012-2023)
2023 – 50 States, 50 Half Marathons – Funding a Global Demential Trial (Communications Bridge Trial, Phase III)
2022 – Eyeing Mount Everest! Goal was $17,600 goal to match the 17,600 feet at basecamp to run the Mount Everest Marathon and raised $22,315! (Communications Bridge Trial, Phase II)
2021 –
2020 – Development of a multi-component intervention for PPA, which includes speech therapy, disease education, and pychosocial support
2019 – Fully funded custom-designed software will allow researchers and clinicians to work side-by-side to bolster both communication and collaboration at Northwestern University AND with other Alzheimer’s research centers around the world, thereby accelerating research, which will lead to medical breakthroughs.
2018 – The NEW Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center officially opens in November!
Will raise $7,500+ to upgrade technology that will help accelerate the pace we can distribute brain tissue to researchers and collaborators around the world custom-designed. This software will allow researchers and clinicians to work side-by-side to bolster both communication and collaboration at Northwestern University AND with other Alzheimer’s research centers around the world, thereby accelerating research, which will lead to medical breakthroughs.
2017 – Help raise a part of the $10,000,000 needed to create a state-of-the-art research facility. This will create the following:
1. An expanded center that will grow from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet enabling the entire team to be more efficient with patient treatment, clinical research, and recruitment of staff.
2. A reduced wait time from 6-9 months to 3 months for families looking to get their loved ones in to see our doctors and social workers.
3. A 50% increase in clinical research studies and grants to move the needle closer to finding a cure.
2016 – Through our pilot funding for tangles and plaque research, the grants team was able to raise an additional $3,000,000 to continue this research and clinical trials with our patients.
Also, ran the Antarctica Marathon and completed the 7 continent challenge to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research
2015 – Raised $38,484 for most successful crowdfunding campaign ever at Northwestern! The funds are being directed to the construction of a new world-class center devoted to superb patient care, cutting edge research, and supportive services for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease to open in 2018.
2014 – Raised $43,475 to fund an innovative brain imaging study that scientists hope will help diagnose dementia in the very early stages.
Ultimate Goal: Detection of Dementia at a younger age makes it possible to develop more effective treatments to combat the disease.
2013 – Raised $36,179 and funded the 1st National Dementia Speech Therapy Trial! Northwestern Medicine developed a tool called Communication Bridge to conduct web-based speech-therapy for patients around the country. Since many people struggle to find medical services in their area, Northwestern decided to bring the treatment to their homes. As one of the largest speech therapy studies for patients with aphasic dementia, the study continues to garner interest and receive positive feedback from participants, caregivers and our therapists. The Alzheimer’s Association and The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration have awarded an additional $260,000 in grants to continue this important treatment study.
2012 -Raised $54,001 for primary progressive aphasia research.