Alzheimer’s research gets a boost with $1 million gift

2/3/2025

Understanding first-hand the urgency for Alzheimer’s prevention research, Mike Zuendel recently invested in the scientific fight against this disease with a gift of $1 million to the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation to support development of the new Blood-Based Biomarkers Program at Banner Sun Health Research Institute.

Designed for the detection, tracking, diagnosis, and study of Alzheimer’s disease, other neurodegenerative diseases, and cerebrovascular disease, the Blood-Based Biomarkers program is led by world-renowned researcher Nicholas Ashton, Ph.D., who has made major contributions to the development and use of biofluid assays for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Dr. Ashton will work in the Michael T. Zuendel Family Biofluid Lab, named to commemorate this generous philanthropic gift.

For Zuendel, this gift is extremely personal. Not only did he lose both of his parents to the disease, he was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2020. “My first symptoms were short-term memory loss and word finding and loss of concentration ability, loss of focus,” he says. Fortunate to have received a relatively early diagnosis, Mike qualified for the drug Aduhelm just after it was approved by the FDA four years ago and was one of the first people in the United States outside of a clinical trial to receive it. He says the drug is working and his symptoms are improving—and he has dedicated himself to fighting for equal access for everyone.

Now, Mike is paying it forward, advocating nationally and internationally for pathways leading to an end to Alzheimer’s, joining the Banner Alzheimer’s Foundation Board of Directors, and partnering with the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute to revolutionize research that will produce a direct and immediate impact around the world.

The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute is a world leader in the scientific and clinical fight against Alzheimer’s and related diseases. BAI launched a new era in Alzheimer’s prevention research, fostered a common sense of urgency around the world, and now has a realistic chance to find and support the FDA approval and widespread accessibility of the first effective Alzheimer’s prevention therapies within the next few years. As part of BAI, Banner Sun Health Research Institute has an international reputation for groundbreaking scientific achievements in research of neurodegenerative illnesses including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy body dementias.

With a singular vision to end Alzheimer’s disease as soon as possible, BAI leadership believes this future is near—especially with the generosity, advocacy and pioneering vision of Mike Zuendel and so many others partnering on this journey.

“My diagnosis was far from an ending, it opened a new chapter of my life,” Mike explains. “I got to know other people living with the disease. I got involved with the advocacy community. I learned that life doesn’t stop.”