Mary Ellen Peters is making a meaningful impact in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease through her generous support of cutting-edge research. Her donation helped fund a new retinal scanner used in HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s HOPE AD study, a pilot program aimed at learning more about genetic and lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and determining whether changing these can lower a person’s risk for disease.

The retinal scanner will play a key role in identifying early signs of Alzheimer’s, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and intervention. Because of the support of generous donors like Mary Ellen, the retinal scanner has been ordered and will soon be a part of the HOPE AD study process.

For Mary Ellen, the cause is deeply personal. Her husband’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease inspired her to contribute to research that may help families like hers in the future.

“This gift is especially close to my heart because I’ve seen firsthand how deeply Alzheimer’s affects not just individuals, but entire families,” she said. “I hope that by supporting this research, we can move closer to easing the challenges so many people face and bring hope to those living with this disease and the people who care for them.”

Looking ahead, Mary Ellen is motivated by a desire to create a better future for generations to come.

“I want to help my grandchildren and so many more,” she said. “That makes my contributions worthwhile.”

Thanks to donors like Mary Ellen, HudsonAlpha is making strides toward discovering new insights into Alzheimer’s and offering hope to millions.

Learn more about the HOPE AD study, see participation requirements, and review our study FAQ by visiting www.hudsonalpha.org/hopead/.