$10 million gift from Angell Family to advance precision medicine in Alzheimer’s
A $10 million donation from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation is set to transform Alzheimer’s research at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center (RADC), helping to pave the way for personalized therapies and early detection methods.
The gift — the foundation’s first to Rush — will leverage over 30 years of research, data, and brain tissue samples to explore precision medicine for Alzheimer’s disease. The RADC, under the leadership of world-renowned researcher Dr. David A. Bennett, is using this support to push the boundaries of how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, treated, and prevented.
“We’re committed to translating decades of data into personalized therapies,” said Dr. Bennett. “This donation allows us to accelerate groundbreaking progress and bring us closer to targeted interventions for patients.”
Inspired by cancer research models, the team will develop molecular signatures of Alzheimer’s disease, grow brain organoids from participants’ cells, and test drugs tailored to individual brain profiles. These miniaturized brain models will be created using blood cells collected during life and data from brain autopsies — a unique capability developed in collaboration with the New York Stem Cell Foundation and Harvard University.
Sharon Davis-Angell, trustee of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, said the foundation is proud to support this next chapter of Alzheimer’s research.
“This work could redefine Alzheimer’s research,” she said. “By investing in personalized therapeutics, we hope to help individuals maintain a high quality of life for as long as possible.”
While federal funding supports many specific research projects, philanthropic gifts like this one provide the flexibility to pursue innovative, high-risk studies and significantly speed up timelines. Dr. Bennett noted that the support allows the team to bypass the lengthy NIH grant process and move directly into transformative research.
The Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center is one of the nation’s largest and most productive research groups focused on aging and dementia. With more than 200 staff members, it has collected data from around 15,000 participants over the last 35 years, with over 2,000 brain autopsies to date — a vast resource now fueling this next phase of discovery.
The donation is part of the broader Without Boundaries: The RUSH Campaign, a $750 million fundraising initiative to eliminate barriers to health care and support innovation across neuroscience, cancer, health equity, and more.
Founded in 2011, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation focuses on three areas: Conservation, Performing Arts, and Social Impact. The foundation’s grantmaking in Social Impact — particularly in Chicago — aims to address urban poverty through education, economic empowerment, and equity.
“We are delighted to partner with Dr. Bennett and Rush,” said Kim Van Horn, the foundation’s CEO. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to create lasting impact.”