June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

Honoring the gifts and expertise propelling Alzheimer's care & research

6/1/2026

As we observe Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month in June, we celebrate the remarkable generosity of our donors and the dedication of our scientific and medical experts, both of which are accelerating the fight against Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

A transformative gift paves the way for innovative treatment

An anonymous donor recently made a $250,000, which will enable 10 additional Banner Alzheimer’s Institute patients to access an experimental drug therapy for cognitive decline. The therapy involves a drug initially designed for ALS treatment that is now showing promise in treating some forms of dementia. Importantly, this is not a clinical trial but rather an expansion of compassionate use for patients who are not responding to other available treatments.

"This extraordinary gift represents hope in its most tangible form for patients and families who have exhausted traditional treatment options," says Allison Perrin, MD, a BAI physician specializing in geriatric medicine. "The generosity of donors like this, combined with the exceptional expertise of our team at Banner Alzheimer's Institute and our colleagues at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, creates a powerful synergy. Every philanthropic investment accelerates our ability to translate scientific discoveries into real-world treatments, bringing us closer to our ultimate goal: finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease and giving families more precious time together."

With a family member affected by the disease, this donor wanted to support the work of Dr. Perrin highly regarded for the exceptional care she provides her patients and their families. The gift will cover a portion of Dr. Perrin's time as well as research staff at Banner Alzheimer's Institute, ensuring that more patients can benefit from this innovative approach to care, in addition to the cost of the drug.

Shaping the future through earlier detection and collaboration

The future of Alzheimer's care continues to evolve through earlier detection, new therapies and stronger interdisciplinary collaboration. At the 2025 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, Parichita Choudhury, MD, of Banner Sun Health Research Institute, joined Pharmacy Times—a leading multimedia resource and flagship monthly publication for pharmacists, specializing in community, health system, and specialty pharmacy practices—to discuss how today's treatment landscape is creating new opportunities for patients with mild cognitive impairment and early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Choudhury shared valuable insights into where the field is headed—from disease-modifying therapies to prevention-focused clinical trials—and highlighted why pharmacists and other health care professionals are uniquely positioned to support earlier diagnosis and coordinated care. Watch Dr. Choudhury's interview.

Marching forward together toward a cure

As we steadily move closer to a widely available, effective prevention therapy for Alzheimer's disease, philanthropic gifts play a vital role in advancing research and expanding treatment options for patients and families affected by this devastating disease. Every contribution—whether supporting compassionate use programs, clinical trials, or groundbreaking research—brings us one step closer to ending Alzheimer's.

Through the dedication of physicians like Dr. Perrin and Dr. Choudhury, combined with the generosity of donors who believe in this mission, we continue to make meaningful progress in the fight against Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Your support matters. To learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia and other memory and thinking disorders, visit www.bannerhealthfoundation.org/alz.