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The 16th annual, A Family Affair event, raises $1.2 million to support Alzheimer’s research
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Ronna Charles
 panel discussion

Joon Lee, MD; Gerald Chan, PhD; Jim Lah, MD, PhD; and Allan Levey, MD, PhD, take part in a panel discussion at the 16th Annual A Family Affair, offering insights on the future of brain science and Alzheimer’s research.

ATLANTA – The 16th Annual A Family Affair raised $1.2 million to benefit the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (Goizueta ADRC) at Emory’s Goizueta Brain Health Institute, supporting cutting-edge research aimed at improving the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and advancing toward a cure.

The event, held Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Atlanta History Center, brought together donors, community leaders and health care experts for an evening of scientific discussion, networking and dinner.

The program featured a panel discussion moderated by the host of Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Your Fantastic Mind, Jaye Watson, exploring the future of brain science and innovation in Alzheimer’s research. Panelists included;

  • Joon Lee, MD, CEO of Emory Healthcare and executive vice president for Woodruff Health Sciences, Emory University
  • Gerald Chan, PhD, co-founder, Morningside Group
  • Jim Lah, MD, PhD, associate director, Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
  • Allan Levey, MD, PhD, director, Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and executive director, Goizueta Brain Health Institute

“Events like A Family Affair bring our mission to life,” says Levey. “The generosity of our community fuels discovery and accelerates the translation of research into real-world impact. Together, we are building a future where Alzheimer’s and related diseases no longer steal memories, independence, or time from the people we love.”

History of A Family Affair

Mary Rose Taylor, a journalist and philanthropist, launched A Family Affair in 2010 after her husband, Mack Taylor, battled Alzheimer’s disease. Since its inception, the event has raised over $10 million for Alzheimer’s research at Emory University.

Volunteer Leadership

The 2025 event was co-chaired by Ginger and Hill Jeffries and Bright and Robert Wright, all of whom have personal connections to Alzheimer’s disease and are longtime supporters of the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.7 million people in the United States, a number projected to nearly double by 2050. Established in 2005, the Goizueta ADRC is part of a national network of Alzheimer’s research centers supported by the National Institutes of Health. Its team of more than 100 professionals serves nearly 2,700 patients and their families annually.

For more information about A Family Affair or to support the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, visit or contact: Kore Breault - lead director of development, Brain Health at 404-326-6167 or kore.breault@emory.edu.

About the Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute:

The Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute is dedicated to advancing innovation in brain health prediction, prevention, and treatment. Our talented team aims to uncover the mechanisms of brain diseases and develop groundbreaking therapeutic strategies and biomarkers. The Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute is a proud part of Emory University, benefiting from its rich history of academic excellence and collaborative spirit. For more information, visit goizuetabrainhealth.emory.edu.


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