North Texas Giving Day 2024

Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters, 

I hope this message finds you well.  As we wind down the summer and prepare for the energy of fall festivities, I am excited to continue serving patients, and to extend the reach of my work through the Dementia Studies Foundation.  We have exiting initiatives on the horizon.  It is my hope that you will join me on the journey forward!

As you may know, I have dedicated my entire academic and professional career to research and clinical care in support of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Lewy Body and other dementias.  It has been incredibly rewarding to make strides to enhance treatment options available to those suffering with these diseases.  However, we have far more to do and many more people to reach as breakthroughs in medicine evolve.

To that end, in addition to treating patients and families through my medical practice, Kerwin Medical Center, I created Dementia Studies Foundation (DSF).   DSF is a non-profit organization 501c(3) established to help close the gap for those without access to existing clinical options, research initiatives, and comprehensive support as they live with or care for loved ones suffering from debilitating neurological diseases.  

Thanks to the heartfelt support of a small group of initial donors, Dementia Studies Foundation has been able to make meaningful contributions in the local Dallas community and to the larger dementia research and clinical care landscape through the following early initiatives: 

1. Support for a UTSW faculty to provide clinical trial experience and collaboration with Washington University to bring the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network-Treatment Unit (DIAN-TU) study to North Texas and improve access for families affected by the young-onset, genetic form of Alzheimer’s;
2. Initiated an internship program with University of Texas-Dallas and local Dallas-ISD high schools to provide early experience and education in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, exposure to careers in clinical research and dementia care and the importance of early screening and diagnosis; and
3. Connected with a diverse community of faith leaders, foundations, patients and families impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias and identified barriers to dementia diagnosis and care.

This work has only heightened my awareness of the disparities that exist in clinical research and dementia care and increased my commitment to DSF’s vision of eliminating barriers to dementia research, diagnosis, or treatment for any one in any community.

It is also the reason why we are opening a Kerwin Medical Clinic site in Oak Cliff this Fall.  We want to be a true community partner – delivering good information, access to innovation, and resources for those in need…right where they are!

To that end, I need your help to expand the programs of Dementia Studies Foundation that will position us to serve, support, and make a sizeable impact on the community impacted by all dementias. 

To accomplish this goal, we have set a goal to raise $100,000 or more by September 19th as a part of North Texas Giving Day. 

With your help, together, we will:

1. Launch the “Brain Health Bus” to tour local communities to build awareness, share “good” information, and provide transportation solutions for patients and families in need of quality dementia care and access to clinical trials and research;
2. Expand and Activate High School and Collegiate Internship Programs  to provide exposure to academic and career pathways in clinical research for Dallas-ISD high school and local college students with a focus on underserved and under-represented communities;
3. Spearhead Community Awareness and Education Initiatives to encourage prevention, early diagnosis, and proper treatment for those at-risk; and
4. Partner to offer Solutions to Address Barriers to research, diagnosis, treatment, and care.

 I am confident that one day there will be a cure; and I want to optimize access to and improve the care options available to all.  This is truly my life’s work.  I am committed to making a difference and your help is key to this goal.

Your tax-free donation will help to propel our work further, faster, and for the greater good of those suffering from and/or caring for those with these diseases.

Thank you in advance for supporting Dementia Studies Foundation.  I am grateful for your contribution and look forward to sharing more about the great work and greater impact that we can make TOGETHER!

Sincerely,

Diana Kerwin, MD

Founder & CEO, Kerwin Medical Center

Founder, Dementia Studies Foundation