The Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM) has received a gift from Temple University trustee, benefactor and Fox School of Business alumnus Phil Richards and the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation (SRNSCF), as well as Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN), to establish the Scott Richards North Star Foundation and Stop Alzheimer’s Now Chair for Alzheimer’s Research at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple. The gift to establish the Chair will be utilized exclusively for the purpose of funding Alzheimer’s research at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple (ACT). The name of the researcher who will be first occupant of the new chair position will be announced at a later date.
“We’re extremely thankful to the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation and Stop Alzheimer’s Now for this generous gift,” said John M. Daly, MD, FACS, Interim Dean and Harry C. Donahoo Professor of Surgery at LKSOM. “That these two organizations would select Temple for this donation speaks volumes to the promising work being done by Dr. Domenico Praticò and his team at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple. The Alzheimer’s Center is performing cutting-edge research into the causation, prevention and ultimately cure of this devastating disease.”
The Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation is a Minnesota non-profit corporation, and Stop Alzheimer’s Now is a Texas non-profit corporation. Both have a core funding priority of ending Alzheimer’s disease. In 2018 SRNSCF provided a gift to LKSOM to establish the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research at Temple as well as the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple. Domenico Praticò, MD, was appointed the first Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and Professor and Director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple. The occupant of the new chair funded by this latest gift will report to Dr. Praticò. SAN also provided a gift in early 2019 to fund research at ACT.
“The Alzheimer’s Center at Temple is committed to promoting brain health and fostering discoveries for a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through advanced research, clinical studies and innovative educational program,” said Dr. Praticò. “Alzheimer’s disease is becoming a major health concern, and if novel successful therapies do not become available, the number of patients suffering from the disease is expected to rise dramatically over the next 30 years. This gift will allow us to continue to pursue our ultimate goal of finding a cure.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States today. The Alzheimer’s Center at Temple integrates research, training, clinical and educational activities in order to study the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, discover the mechanisms responsible for their onset and progression, and develop effective treatment strategies with the ultimate goal of curing those diseases.
“The catastrophic consequences to the victims of this insidious disease are compounded by the tragedy thrust upon the caregivers (75% women) whose lives are severely disrupted when it occurs. We all must do whatever we can to alleviate both,” said Phil Richards, who is also Executive Chairman and Founder of the North Star Resource Group and Chairman of the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation.
“We interviewed many directors around the country as we considered where we wanted to partner,” said Shaun McDuffee, Founder of Stop Alzheimer’s Now. “Dr Praticò’s passion and expertise made Temple University jump to the top of our list. We believe that with his leadership and commitment, Temple is going to come up with a solution to the Alzheimer’s epidemic.”
The North Star Resource Group established a charitable foundation in 2004 to support causes close to the North Star team. The foundation was renamed the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation in 2008, after the passing of former president Scott Richards, son of Temple Trustee Richards. Since 2004, North Star has donated 10% of all profits to the foundation, which has contributed more than $5 million to local communities across the nation. The foundation also supports the philanthropic interests of its advisors and team members by providing an internal gift matching program focusing on breast cancer, Bikes for Kids, ataxia, myelofibrosis, cystic fibrosis, as well as Alzheimer’s.
Stop Alzheimer’s Now founded by Shaun McDuffee in 2013, has committed to walking across all 50 states to raise awareness and funds for research for a cure. To date, SAN has walked nearly 1,000 miles and raised $400,000 through individual contributions and partnerships with organizations such as SRNSCF and the McDuffee Family Foundation.