Barrow Neurological Foundation Raises a Remarkable $28 Million in 2023 Fiscal Year

Barrow Neurological Foundation concluded its 2023 fiscal year (July 2022–June 2023) with an impressive fundraising total of $28 million in gifts from generous donors. This includes a notable $7 million raised by the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation through the 2023 Barrow Grand Ball, reaching an unprecedented lifetime milestone of $100 million raised since the 1965 inaugural Ball. In addition, Barrow received a transformational $10 million grant by the Office of the Arizona Governor through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support novel research into the effects of COVID-19 on Alzheimer’s disease.

Autumn and Bobby Henderson made a generous $2.5 million gift to launch the Henderson-Liebman ALS Expanded Access Program, and The Steele Foundation endowed the Dan Cracchiolo and Pam Grant Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Fellowship with a $1.5 million gift. Caroline Hoeye made a generous $1.5 million gift to endow the Caroline Hoeye Pituitary Research Program, and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation continued its dedicated support of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center with a $1 million gift to create the Legacy Caregiver Program.

The Foundation distributed $44 million to Barrow Neurological Institute to support its mission of saving lives through groundbreaking research, world-class patient care, and advanced medical education. This distribution includes $21 million designated for the Ivy Brain Tumor Center and $14.5 million designated by donors for specific purposes, including the Lewis Headache Center, Petznick Stroke Center, Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research Center, and more.

Another $11.9 million in funding was directed to support research at the Institute, including startup funds for researchers and 23 new projects, which were selected through a competitive review process. The Foundation also distributed $1 million in endowments.

“Every day, the physicians and scientists at Barrow Neurological Institute conduct innovative research aimed at finding new and more effective treatments, and ultimately cures, for patients suffering from devastating neurological diseases. Our generous donors are the catalyst for this success, and their passion and dedication allows Barrow to continue saving lives.”

Katie Cobb, President of Barrow Neurological Foundation

The 23 research projects that received funding in fiscal year 2023 addressed a broad range of neurological conditions, all with a goal of improving patient outcomes.

• Ashley Stokes, PhD, investigated neuroimaging biomarkers of cerebrovascular health in dementia with Lewy bodies, mild Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia. Her study aims to highlight similarities and differences across all three forms of dementia.
• Timothy Hutson, PhD, worked to develop real-time, objective biomarkers for risk and treatment success in patients with status epilepticus, a prolonged seizure that can be life threatening if not treated quickly and with the proper interventions.
• Ivette Sandoval, PhD, investigated gene therapy approaches to target a specific cell type in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS. She aims to modulate the inflammatory response of the cells to slow or halt degeneration.
• Harrison Farber, MD, worked with the Spinal Biomechanics Lab to evaluate a new technique for spinal fusion surgery that has the potential to decrease mechanical complications and reduce the need for revision surgery.
• Nadine Bakkar, PhD, investigated the composition and alterations of the blood-brain barrier in ALS to uncover new and more effective drug-delivery routes to the brain.

“At Barrow Neurological Institute, we are dedicated to pursuing novel research that pushes the boundaries of neuroscience to benefit patients worldwide. We are fortunate to have a Foundation that is committed to helping us fund our scientific goals,” said Michael T. Lawton, MD, President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute. “Moreover, we are very fortunate to have a community that supports Barrow and recognizes the importance of our work.”

Michael T. Lawton, MD, President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute

After a remarkable 2023 fiscal year, the Foundation is looking toward another successful year with the opening of the new Ivy Brain Tumor Center headquarters, which will be the largest translational research center dedicated to brain tumor drug development worldwide. We also look forward to the continued expansion of the Franke Global Neuroscience Education Center and to supporting the vision of Brad Racette, MD, FAAN, for the Department of Neurology, which includes a new data-driven research center.

In addition, the Foundation will be holding its premier philanthropic event, Neuro Night, on October 27, 2023, at The Clayton House in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event will feature world-famous stars like Mark McGrath and his band Sugar Ray, experiential art installations, and a dynamic live auction to benefit groundbreaking research at Barrow Neurological Institute.