Family of Advice Columnist Gives $5 Million to Mayo Clinic for Alzheimer's Research

The family of "Dear Abby" advice columnist Abigail Van Buren has contributed $5 million to the Mayo Clinic to advance Alzheimer's disease research.

Minneapolis residents Edward and Leslye Phillips, the son and daughter-in-law of the former advice columnist who now suffers from Alzheimer's disease, made the contribution.

Mayo Clinic officials said the funding would enable it to accelerate research on gaining an ever-improving understanding of Alzheimer's disease and ultimately developing effective treatments. Specifically, the gift will be used to help support the following three research initiatives regarding the:

• Use of magnetic resonance imaging to determine who is at risk for Alzheimer's disease and how quickly or slowly a person's disease will progress.
• Evaluation of drugs that may alter levels of Alzheimer's amyloid beta protein, which is thought to cause Alzheimer's disease.
• Identification of genetic markers in individuals who are destined to develop mild cognitive impairment and late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
  

"My mother made a profound difference in the lives of generations of American families; in fact people throughout the world," said Edward Phillips. "She suffers from Alzheimer's disease that has gradually stolen this precious resource from us.

"The loyal fans of my mother's newspaper column never had an opportunity to express their gratitude to her. We hope that many will demonstrate their appreciation by making a financial commitment to Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's disease research program," Phillips said.

Other sources: Mayo Clinic