Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease Announces $850,000 Research Grant Initiative
Details Unveiled for the Fund’s
2014 Ben-Willie-Darrell Links & Lyrics Fundraiser
AUSTIN, TX – The Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease today announced its inaugural request for application (RFA) and research grant initiative, which will award $850,000 in grants to advance Alzheimer’s research in Texas. Comprised of fundraising efforts from the DKR Fund’s Ben-Willie-Darrell 4th & Goal Gala in 2013, the grant money will go directly to scientific research in Texas for novel, innovative and cutting edge approaches to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
“I am humbled by the great work of the DKR Fund in its efforts to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, which has impacted so many of our lives. I hope that through the continued efforts of this great team, we will find a cure,” said Edith Royal, wife of the late University of Texas legendary and beloved Coach Darrell K Royal.
Mrs. Royal was joined by members of the DKR Fund Board of Directors and Advisors including Ben Crenshaw, Eloise DeJoria and Ava Late, as well as members of the scientific community to announce the grant process and share details about the DKR Fund’s signature fundraising event, the Ben-Willie-Darrell Links & Lyrics.
“We are excited about launching the DKR Fund grants program which will attract the best and brightest young minds to study this incredibly important problem for society. Designed to yield the highest quality of research through its peer reviewed grant process, this program will honor Coach Royal’s legacy,” said Ronald C. Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., DKR Fund Scientific Advisor.
The 2014 Ben-Willie-Darrell Links & Lyrics will take place on September 5, 2014 and will feature two time CMA Entertainer of the Year and multi-Grammy Award winning country artist Vince Gill & Friends. The Links event includes a golf tournament at Barton Creek Country Club’s Crenshaw Course, hosted by Honorary Golf Chairman Ben Crenshaw. The Lyrics follows that evening with a special night of music with Vince Gill & Friends at the spectacular ACL Live at the Moody Theater. Benefiting the DKR Fund, Links & Lyrics will be an integral part of the fundraising efforts for AD research. Sponsorships are available now through the DKR Fund and general admission tickets go on sale through acl-live.com on March 7, 2014.
More information about the DKR fund and Ben-Willie-Darrell Links & Lyrics can be found at dkrfund.org.
About the DKR Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease
The Darrell K Royal Research Fund for Alzheimer’s Disease represents the pinnacle of commitment to excellence in Research and Care for Texans to attempt to cure Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in our lifetimes, to expand research into Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and expand the paradigms of care and access for Texans, enabling exposure to preventative care and treatment strategies aimed at combatting the epidemic of AD.
Darrell K Royal was an American football legend both as a player and a coach. At The University of Texas at Austin, Royal won more games than any other coach in Texas Longhorns football history. Royal was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease late in life; as a result, his family and friends have taken on the mission of funding cutting edge collaborative research and raising awareness for this debilitating disease.
Media Contacts
Suzanne Hofmann Erickson
R&R Partners
Cell: 512.751.7235
Email: [email protected]
Erin McCleskey
R&R Partners
Cell: 702.468.0137
Email: [email protected]
Photo Ids
Image 5112: 1968 University of Texas Football signed by 1969 Championship Team (this ball was donated by Ted Stewart and will be part of the 2014 Ben-Willie-Darrell Links & Lyrics Live Auction)
Image 5180: DKR Fund Advisory Board Members Ben Crenshaw & Ava Late. Ben is serving as Honorary Golf Chairman for the 2014 Ben-Willie-Darrell Links & Lyrics Golf Tournament and Ava is the Event Chairwoman
Image 5305: Debbie Hanna (Chair, Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease), Ava Late (DKR Fund Advisory Board) Eloise DeJoria (DKR Fund Advisory Board and serving as the BWD L&L Honorary Event Chairwoman), Edith Royal (Founder of the DKR Fund), Julie Crenshaw (DKR Fund Advisory Board Member) and Ben Crenshaw
Image 5374: Edith Royal and Ben Crenshaw