$100,000 Grant from Bankers Life and Casualty Company Funds Alzheimer's Research at University of Chicago.Business Editors CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 15, 2004 Bankers Life and Casualty Bankers Life and Casualty is primarily a health insurance company in the United States. It was founded in 1879 and was previously known as White Cross. It was formerly owned by millionaire investor John D. Company has made a two-year grant worth $100,000 to the University of Chicago to fund research into the causes of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. . Seong-Hun Kim, M.D., Ph.D., a research associate and assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology Neurobiology Study of the development and function of the nervous system, with emphasis on how nerve cells generate and control behavior. The major goal of neurobiology is to explain at the molecular level how nerve cells differentiate and develop their , Pharmacology pharmacology, study of the changes produced in living animals by chemical substances, especially the actions of drugs, substances used to treat disease. Systematic investigation of the effects of drugs based on animal experimentation and the use of isolated and and Physiology at the University's medical school, has applied the grant to his research into certain proteins and how they interact to cause the early onset form of Alzheimer's disease. Kim, 35, said he became devoted to researching the disease when he watched his own family struggle with Alzheimer's. Born in South Korea and educated at Seoul National University Not to be confused with the University of Seoul. Seoul National University (SNU) is a national research university in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 1946, SNU was the first national university in South Korea, and served as a model for the many national and public College of Medicine, he has been presenting academic research papers on Alzheimer's since 1996. "Almost all of what we know about the disease has come from research done in the last 15 years," he said. "We are learning so much. A future cure is not out of the question - but to do that, we need more research. That's why companies like Bankers are critical partners to us in the scientific community." Bankers provides its research grants through the Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association, incorportated on April 10, 1980 as the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc., is a non-profit American voluntary health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer's disease. , the world's largest grant making institution dedicated to combating Alzheimer's and serving those who live with the disease. The University of Chicago grant is the second made by Bankers to further research for Alzheimer's disease. Last year, the company made a $100,000 two-year grant to Harvard University's Ronald Reagan Research Grant program. Since 2001, Bankers has provided $450,000 in research grant money through the Alzheimer's Association. "Our insurance policyholders and potential policyholders are America's seniors," said Bankers' Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. Dan Veto. "Our own business research tells us that fear of contracting Alzheimer's is the number one fear of aging. By partnering with the Alzheimer's Association, we are supporting our friends and clients," he said. In addition to research grants, Bankers is the premier corporate sponsor of Chicago's Rita Hayworth Rita Hayworth (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987), was an American actress who reached fame during the 1940s as the era's leading sex symbol. Although there was prejudice against Hispanic actors at the time, Hayworth is now widely regarded to be one of the first Gala, which benefits the Alzheimer's Association, and conducts Forget Me Not Days each May, a national fundraiser that benefits the work of local chapters of the Association. Since awarding its first grants in 1982, the Association has committed more than $150 million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention, and cure of Alzheimer's disease. While supporting the worldwide research effort, the Association also works tirelessly tire·less adj. Not yielding to fatigue; untiring or indefatigable. tire  less·ly adv. to enhance the quality of life for affected individuals and
their families. Through its national network of chapters, it offers a
broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their
families, and care partners.
The Chicago-based Alzheimer's Association is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. . All of its programs and services are made possible through contributions, large and small, from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Established in 1879 and headquartered at the world-famous Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses exclusively on the financial security needs of seniors. The company offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and retirement savings products designed especially for seniors. These products are distributed through a national network of professionally trained career agents. |
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