Your Donation Supports Groundbreaking Alzheimer’s Research

In 2015, Azelene and Greg Allen’s lives changed forever when Azelene was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Greg noticed that Azelene, his high school sweetheart, was forgetting things. Azelene herself even noticed significant changes to her health.“For 48 years, I did all the finances and paid all the bills,” she says. “All of the sudden, I was making mistakes like forgetting to pay someone or paying them twice.” When Azelene received the diagnosis, and was subsequently told she only had four years to live, the couple lost hope.

The Allens, who are originally from Arizona, were living in California at the time and did not feel that the program Azelene was enrolled in supported her needs. After a series of events, they moved back to Arizona and found a specialist at Barrow Neurological Institute’s Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program. Azelene is grateful for her doctors at Barrow. The level of care and support she received gave her hope and made her feel connected to her care providers.

Azelene also enrolled in a clinical trial for an innovative Alzheimer’s therapy. She says, “I noticed a remarkable difference with this trial.” Referring to how the therapy helped improve her symptoms. While Azelene and her husband recognize there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, they still remain optimistic.

The Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program at Barrow is committed to helping patients and caregivers understand the illness and the road that lies ahead for both of them. In 2020, the Program provided support to individuals in Arizona and 11 other U.S. states, as well as people in Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

In addition to clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of various drugs, Barrow leads the way in research investigating non-pharmaceutical interventions for Alzheimer’s. Barrow was the first institution in the world to implant a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device into the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient. Researchers hope to determine whether DBS can slow, or even stop, the progression of the disease.

Additionally, physicians are investigating several lifestyle interventions addressing diet, exercise, cognitive training, sleep and management of vascular risk factors that contribute to cognitive impairment. This pilot study is designed to investigate whether lifestyle interventions can prevent Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia.

After their experience with the Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program at Barrow, the Allens want to inspire others to support the Program and the groundbreaking research taking place there.

Every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s disease. Research will accelerate our ability to diagnose, care for and ultimately prevent the disease and other memory disorders.

All donations made to our research program will be matched dollar-for-dollar. 

Help Barrow improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s disease and their families by making a gift toward research. Remember, your donation will be doubled!