A Texas initiative to fight Alzheimer’s disease was announced today, featuring some familiar faces.
The Darrell K Royal Fund for Alzheimer’s Research was unveiled today at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Alzheimer's Disease at the Texas Capitol. On hand was former Longhorns coach Royal and his wife Edith Royal, flanked by Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and actor Matthew McConaughey.
The idea behind the Royal Fund is to kickstart Alzheimer’s research in the state. A press release characterizes the fund as “a vehicle that funds collaborative research in Texas, and promotes sharing of discoveries and treatment strategies nationwide.”
The fund also aims “to expand the paradigms of care and access for Texans” with Alzheimer’s. “Texas ranks third in the nation for number of citizens diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” Edith Royal said in her remarks. “The sad fact is that most everyone in our state is touched by this disease and the Darrell Royal family is no exception.”
Also announced were the Royal Fund’s Board of Advisors, including several notable Texans: state Attorney General Greg Abbott, current Longhorns coach Mack Brown, businessman Red McCombs, Willie Nelson, Armstrong, McConaughey and many others.
