This summer, communities across Wisconsin and beyond came together in an extraordinary show of support for the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s. Through running, pickleball, music, golf, social gatherings and mini golf, hundreds of participants, volunteers, sponsors and donors helped raise more than $268,000 to advance Alzheimer’s disease research, outreach and programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
What began as an educational resource for Wisconsinites is now reaching participants across the country and around the world. The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s (ADRC) Healthy Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) educational program is drawing strong participation and positive feedback, connecting people across Wisconsin and beyond with science-backed education on brain health, Alzheimer’s disease prevention strategies and practical tools and resources to support living well with MCI.
Wisconsin radio broadcasters Paul Braun, Mike Heller, Matt Lepay, Jim Paschke and Brian Posick are teaming up to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Over the past several months, our passionate community members have hosted more than ten fundraising events across Wisconsin, collectively raising an impressive $423,475 to support the groundbreaking work of the IEA. From golf outings and live music to 5K runs, our supporters continue to find creative ways to amplify our mission.
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.
World-renowned researchers Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD, and Hartmuth Kolb, PhD, have joined the UW School of Medicine and Public Health to study biomarkers in blood and spinal fluid that could help predict a person’s future risk of dementia.
In an advancement for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted clearance for an Alzheimer’s disease blood test. Data samples used to evaluate the validity of the test are from research conducted at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Fitz’s On The Lake in Lodi, WI, brought the community together on March 16, 2025, for Fitz’s St. Patrick’s Alzheimer’s Fundraiser & Raffle, a heartfelt event dedicated to supporting Alzheimer’s disease research. Led by Mark and Bonnie Obois and their dedicated staff, the event raised an impressive $5,803 to benefit the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s (IEA) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
From June 23 to 29, Bill Stork, DVM, and supporters will bike from Telluride, Colorado, to ascend Pikes Peak in honor of his mother and to support Alzheimer’s disease research happening at UW–Madison. Stork and Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, recently appeared on “The Larry Meiller Show” on Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) to discuss the advances being made by UW's Alzheimer’s disease research program.
On March 6, Sterling Johnson, PhD, participated in a news conference to discuss the importance of federally funded Alzheimer’s disease research at UW–Madison and its impact on people throughout Wisconsin and nationwide.