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Arizona State University (ASU) has recently received a $50 million donation to support research into dementia. The donation came from Charlene and J. Orin Edson, and the ASU College of Nursing will appropriately be renamed the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. 

The gift is one of the largest in the university’s history. $25 million of the donation will go to ASU’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation and $25 million will go to the Biodesign Institute. The funding going to the College of Nursing will fund research and education on dementia causes and care. A new center will also be built and named the Grace Center for Innovation in Nursing Education, named for Charlene’s mother who was a nurse. 

The Edson’s have previously donated to ASU and their gifts currently total more than $65 million. The Edson family released a statement saying, “We believe in ASU’s interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to finding solutions. We look forward to new discoveries and solutions to better the quality of life for people affected by brain disease and the heartache of those that love them.”

The Edson’s gift will allow ASU to bring people from varied disciplines together to advance research and treatment and attempt to find a cure for dementia. The funding will go toward two focuses: one on causes and diagnosis of dementia and the other on ways to help dementia patients, their caregivers, and their families. The university already has a vested interest in dementia research but the donation will help the College of Nursing attract new talent and host an annual international symposium. 

See also
Ohio State University College of Nursing Recognized for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

To learn more about the $50 million donation to the Arizona State University College of Nursing to fund dementia research, visit here

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