$5 million in planned gifts fuel momentum in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease

6/1/2025

This spring, the Banner Health Foundation and Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation received two estate gifts totaling $5 million, the result of intentional advance planning by generous donors and their families.

The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute and Banner Sun Health Research Institute each received $1.5 million from a family that desired anonymity. In April, nearly $500,000 of the total was applied to support the Banner Research Fluid Biomarker Program and the groundbreaking work of Senior Director Nicholas Ashton, Ph.D.

Dr. Ashton, a world leader in the development, validation and use of fluid biomarkers in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, is advancing biomarker research, working closely with academic and industry researchers inside Arizona and around the world.

This program includes two laboratories at Banner Sun Health Research Institute, located in Sun City, AZ, and involves researchers from that campus and Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, which has two memory care centers of excellence in Phoenix and Tucson. The biomarker discovery laboratory will develop, optimize and validate new spinal fluid and blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular diseases, including home-based tests. This sets the stage for the widespread use of blood tests in research studies, treatment and prevention trials, and the clinical setting.

The second gift came from a family that bequeathed $2 million to Banner Sun Health Research Institute because they believed in the power of research to change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, with the distinct possibility of ending these dreaded diseases before another generation is lost. Approximately $1.5 million of their gift will support capital expenses associated with building Dr. Ashton’s biomarker lab. In addition, both the husband and wife enrolled in the Brain and Body Donation Program at BSHRI, participating in assessments during their lifetime and post-mortem studies in order to advance the understanding of brain and body function in normal aging and in diseases related to aging.

“From the beginning, philanthropy has played indispensable roles in our efforts to find effective prevention therapies, transform care for our patients and families, serve the community, advance the scientific and clinical fight against Alzheimer’s and related diseases in other important ways, and attract and support the remarkable individuals needed to achieve these goals,” explains Banner Alzheimer’s Institute’s Chief Executive Officer Eric Reiman, MD, globally renowned for his leadership and research expertise in the fight against Alzheimer’s. “Planned gifts, like the two generous gifts we recently received, will give us the opportunity to achieve our goals and make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Taking the Long View

Planned giving involves charitable contributions or bequests made through a will, trust, or other legal means to benefit a nonprofit organization. These legacy gifts are a way for individuals to make a significant charitable contribution as part of their overall financial or estate planning.

“Starting a will or trust isn't just about dividing up assets—it's about taking the time to think deeply about what matters most to you, and ensuring those priorities are reflected in how you prepare for the future,” says Emily Leva, MSW, CAP®, Director of Planned Giving for the Banner Health Foundation and Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation. “It's never too early, but it can be too late to start planning and speaking with your loved ones about your values and what is important to you.”

What’s more, having these conversations early removes the guesswork and emotional burden from those you care about most. Early planning gives loved ones the comfort of knowing they’re honoring your wishes and not making decisions in the dark.

It’s equally important to let the nonprofit organizations you intend to support through a planned gift know of your intentions during your lifetime. When donors include a nonprofit as a beneficiary in their retirement accounts or insurance policies, they may assume that the organization will automatically be notified of (and receive) those funds upon their passing. (These funds bypass the probate process, so a court does not oversee their distribution.) In fact, the documentation used to create the account may state directly the opposite – that the financial institution has “no duty to locate or identify a beneficiary.”

Several issues can arise if a donor fails to notify a nonprofit:

1. Lack of Awareness: Nonprofits may not know about the expected funds, which can impact financial planning and budgeting.
2. Delayed Impact: Even if the organization eventually receives the funds, the lack of foresight can delay the use of those resources for crucial programs and initiatives.
3. Unclaimed Property Risks: If a nonprofit is not notified and cannot claim the designated gift within a certain period, the funds may be classified as unclaimed property and turned over to the state.

“It all goes back to having peace of mind that a donor’s intent and generosity are well documented so that their wishes will be honored and that we are able to advocate on their behalf during and after their lifetime,” says Leva.

If you’ve already included the Banner Health Foundation or Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation in your estate plans, thank you. Your foresight and generosity help ensure compassionate, world-class care will be available for future generations. If you are considering a future gift, we would be honored to hear your story and learn more about the legacy you hope to create.

“We aren't promised tomorrow,” says Leva, “and if we could all give our loved ones the gift of knowing our intentions, we will be able to offer them clarity, peace, and a lasting sense of connection even when we're no longer here."

Resources

Begin the conversation at home

Download your free Estate Planning Tool Kit. Also, learn more about the many benefits of a charitable gift annuity in our FREE guide Charitable Gift Annuities: Gifts That Give Back.

Ready to talk?
Contact Emily Leva at 480.335.4876 for first steps or additional information on charitable gift annuities and the many other giving vehicles available that help to support Banner Health.

Giving Docs
Many of our supporters have chosen to advance their own values by providing a charitable gift through their will. Regardless of the size of your gift, you can provide funding to help support areas of care and Banner Health initiatives important to you. Traditionally, creating a will can be expensive and time consuming. To solve this problem, we are pleased to offer our supporters free access to Giving Docs. Here you can easily create your will and other estate planning documents in just a few minutes. You are not required to leave a gift in order to create a will. This is our gift to you. Access Giving Docs here.