On June 11, 2025, the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s (IEA) hosted the Alzheimer’s Ends Here luncheon, an inspiring fundraiser in support of advancing research programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The inaugural program brought together researchers, faculty and staff, IEA board members and friends united by a common goal: to end Alzheimer’s disease.
The program included research updates and a summary of recent, groundbreaking developments by Sanjay Asthana, MD, director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI). UW Badgers sportscaster Matt LePay, radio voice for the Wisconsin Badgers men’s basketball and football teams, hosted the program, and also moderated a discussion with fellow UW Badgers sportscasters Brain Posick, Mike Heller, and Paul Braun, who shared moving and personal perspectives on how Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their close family members. Their stories illustrated the impact dementia of diagnosis can have on an entire family system, and their willingness to share a glimpse into the difficult reality of supporting a loved one who is navigating dementia was impactful and moving to everyone present.
The program was capped with the announcements about the launch of a $1 million fundraising goal to support the Alzheimer’s biomarker research program at UW–Madison. This ambitious effort was jump-started by an extraordinary $500,000 lead matching gift from longtime supporters Max Carney and Kim Carney Gill. Thanks to the generosity of event attendees and supporters, the luncheon raised $295,000, which—when matched—brings the total to approximately $590,000, more than halfway to the goal. The momentum is real, and the impact is already making a difference.
“There’s a palpable energy and renewed excitement around the advancements in Alzheimer’s research happening at UW,” said Dave Adam, Chair of the IEA Board of Visitors, following the event. “We’re incredibly proud of the IEA team, our medical professionals, staff, and the Board who made this event such a success.”
The event’s momentum continues. The gift from the Carney family will generously match gifts made until the one million dollar goal is reached. Donations to support the fund can be made at supportuw.org/ALZENDSHERE. If you would like more information about the event or supporting the Initiative to End Alzheimer’s, please reach out to Steve Ramig, IEA director of development, or Julia Docksey, IEA associate director of development.
View photos from the Alzheimer’s Ends Here Luncheon here:
