who are we
The Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation supporting medical research into Alzheimer’s disease.
Our mission is to support research that makes Alzheimer’s disease treatable and preventable. With the vital assistance of supporters we can do just that.
Our vision is a world in which Alzheimer’s disease no longer exists.
Our objective is to become a self-sustaining Foundation to support Alzheimer’s disease research, and increase the understanding of the causes of this devastating disease, develop an early diagnosis, and identify treatments and interventions aimed at slowing or stopping disease progression. The Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation provides significant funding to a team of researchers including the research of internationally acclaimed researcher, Foundation Director of Research, and 2010 WA Australian of the Year, Professor Ralph Martins.
HISTORY
The McCusker Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Inc. was established in 2000 and was renamed the Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in 2016. Many generous and committed individuals and organisations have been part of the history of the Foundation.
The Foundation’s story begins in the early 1990s when Ralph Martins first established a research laboratory at Hollywood Repatriation General Hospital.
Sir James McCusker provided vital funding through the University of Western Australia (UWA) to support student research projects under Professor Martins’ supervision which allowed for the significant expansion of Alzheimer’s research.
To meet the growing needs of the research activities, the Foundation purchased a new building in 2010 with funding support from LotteryWest for use as a research laboratory. A suite in the Hollywood Medical Centre also became the new administrative centre.
COLLABORATION
In 2001 Professor Martins was appointed Foundation Professor of Ageing and Alzheimer’s disease at Edith Cowan University (ECU) and retained an Adjunct Professorship at UWA.
Research activities now span three sites including fit for purpose facilities at the Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute in Nedlands, enabling greater collaboration with other neuroscience research groups within the same building. This is also now the Foundation’s administrative headquarters.
The Foundation has been provided funding for Alzheimer’s research through support of the national Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health since 2011.
CLINICAL TRIALS
Dr Clarnette, a geriatrician with a special interest in Alzheimer’s disease, and his clinical trials team joined the Foundation in 2001.
Dr Clarnette is based at Fremantle Hospital, and has also conducted clinical trials at Hollywood Private Hospital Specialist Centre into potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease for over 20 years.
Dr Clarnette continues to lead the Foundation’s growing clinical trials unit known as the Clinical Trials Division.
A NEW NAME
Leading up to 2016, the Foundation had a period of rapid growth, followed by review and consolidation. This growth saw the Foundation substantially increase its turnover; sponsor clinical trials in its own right; and start to build a national presence, particularly through membership of the national Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Mental Health, as well as the establishment of clinical trials in Sydney.
Recognising this growth and following careful consideration, in early 2016 the Board adopted an exciting new strategic plan. This plan charted a new direction for the Foundation, building on its current base.
Recognising the past as well as future opportunities, and following considerable discussion with patron Malcolm McCusker QC and the McCusker family, the Foundation change its name to enable it to readily meet new goals and strengthen its reach. This change was proposed and adopted at the Foundation’s AGM held on 28 April 2016.
From 1st December 2016 the Foundation become the Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
The Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation complies with the Voluntary Code of Practice for Public Fundraising. CC20495.
