PHOENIX, Ariz. – On Saturday, April 27 the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium will hold its always-anticipated public conference, a free event for the community where more than 300 patients, caregivers, family members, and interested persons gather with Alzheimer’s researchers, caregiving experts, and other leaders in the field.
For the last 20 years, the Consortium has recognized an individual or organization for making exceptional contributions to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, bringing hope to affected patients and families.
The John Theobald Memorial Community Service Award is given in memory of the Consortium’s founding Board Chair, who did so much to bring the Consortium’s seven different member organizations together. This year’s recipient is Mr. Jerre Stead.
Jerre and his wife Mary Joy co-founded the Stead Foundation, which has granted more than $400 million to healthcare, education, and faith-based organizations in the United States. In 2023, Jerre founded Stead Impact Ventures as an extension of the Foundation’s commitment with the mission to invest with responsibility and purpose in innovators whose ideas will positively change the course of health and wellbeing. Jerre serves as the board chair of Stead Impact Ventures and co-chair of Stead Foundation.
After Jerre’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he and Mary Joy have made innumerable contributions to the fight against this dreadful disease, seeking to find better ways to assist affected families. Among their many undertakings, they have supported numerous efforts to better address the medical and non-medical needs of patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related diseases, and they have played a pivotal role in the effort to find effective prevention therapies in the next few years.
In addition to his many other business and philanthropic contributions, Jerre is Chairman of the Board of the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation. Based on their many contributions to the clinical and scientific fight against Alzheimer’s disease, they are past recipients of the Alzheimer’s Association’s prestigious Jerome H. Stone Philanthropy Award for Research.
“Over the years, we have had the privilege to recognize individuals who have had an indelible impact on Alzheimer’s disease care and research in Arizona. This year, we have the chance to recognize one of my heroes,” said Eric M. Reiman, MD, Director of the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium. “Thanks to Jerre’s extraordinary generosity, his commitment to tackling challenging problems in the most bold and impactful way, and his steadfast inspiration, we and our colleagues have a chance to make a profound difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, inside Arizona and around the world.”
Registration for the conference has closed, but walk-ins are welcome to attend. The event is free and open to the public, and free parking is available at ASU’s Rural and Apache garages. The event information is:
Saturday April 27, 8:15am – 1:00pm
Arizona State University
Memorial Union – Arizona Ballroom
301 E Orange Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
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About the Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium
The Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium (AAC) is the nation’s leading model of statewide collaboration in Alzheimer’s disease research and is comprised of seven member institutions: Arizona State University, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Barrow Neurological Institute, Mayo Clinic, TGen, and the University of Arizona. Established in 1998, the Consortium capitalizes on its participating institutions’ complementary strengths in brain imaging computer science, genomics, the basic and cognitive neurosciences and clinical and neuropathology research to promote the scientific understanding and early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and find effective disease-stopping and prevention therapies. It also seeks to educate Arizona residents about Alzheimer’s disease, research progress in the state, and the resources needed to help patients, families, and professionals manage the disease. The Consortium is determined to find effective treatments to halt the progression and prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease without losing a generation.
