The Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation celebrated 60 years of supporting groundbreaking research at Barrow Neurological Institute through the annual Barrow Grand Ball. Championed by 2024-25 Chair Dionne Najafi and Co-Chaired by Cathy Kleeman and Susan Westra, the Ball raised a record-breaking $14.4 million to help Barrow physicians and scientists offer hope to patients and families living with debilitating neurological conditions.
2025 Women’s Board Grand Ball Highlights
The Ball also recognized Barrow milestone-makers Robert F. Spetzler, MD, and Volker K.H. Sonntag, MD, for their significant impact on the Institute’s growth from a small, local hospital to a global neuroscience leader.
Spotlight on Alzheimer’s Disease Research
The fundraising highlight for the 2025 Ball followed a 19-year tradition of selecting a critical area of research at Barrow as the Women’s Board Project. The Women’s Board selected the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program research efforts as its project, raising an impressive $3.2 million through the Ball to advance this work.
Barrow physicians and scientists are at the cusp of changing the entire course of Alzheimer’s disease. They are leading cutting-edge research to transform Alzheimer’s from a terminal disease to a chronic, manageable condition and investigating ways to prevent the disease altogether.
2025 Ball Areas of Support
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
- Aneurysms and AVMs
- Brain Cancer
- Spinal Disorders and Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Migraine and Headache
- Stroke
- Hearing Loss
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Pituitary Disorders