More than $14 million was raised at the Part the Cloud Gala, held at a private residence in Los Angeles, to fund cutting-edge Alzheimer’s disease research.
Started in 2012 by Michaela “Mikey” Hoag with the Alzheimer’s Association, Part the Cloud is a global movement to accelerate scientific progress in Alzheimer’s disease research. The evening was emceed by “Suits” star Sarah Rafferty with a musical performance by Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer Jon Batiste.
Hoag and event chairs Sue Foley and Paula Robichaud were joined by over 300 guests comprised of philanthropists and luminaries, including:
* Ellen Drew
* Lisa Edelstein
* Allison Janney
* Olivia Munn
* Paula Patton
* Shonda Rhimes
* Connie Stevens
* Maura Tierney
* Chandra Wilson
* Courteney Cox
* Paula Robichaud
“After realizing the power my personal story could have to rally people around the Alzheimer’s cause, I partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association and a steering committee of women affected by the disease to launch the first Part the Cloud Gala in 2012,” said Hoag. “In the 12 years since, Part the Cloud has bloomed into a global research movement that has the potential to find a cure for the disease.”
Hoag elaborates, “My parents succumbed to Alzheimer’s, and I wanted to do my part to change the trajectory of the disease. Today, Part the Cloud is more than a fundraiser, it’s an opportunity to educate, inspire, and provide hope to the millions of lives impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.”
Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead, shared an exciting announcement at the event further demonstrating the remarkable impact of the Part the Cloud program. Three clinical trials investigating promising therapies for Alzheimer’s and other dementias are propelled thanks to new grant funding from Part the Cloud. The funding brings Part the Cloud’s total investment to over $90 million in 68 groundbreaking and innovative clinical trials. Additionally, Part the Cloud grant recipients have gone on to receive more than $1.5 billion in follow-on funding from the federal government, venture capital firms, and other funding sources.
Sarah Rafferty, who has been an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer for over a decade, shared, “Unfortunately, like millions of others, my family has seen the realities of Alzheimer’s disease up close with my grandmother and now my father. The tireless commitment and vision of people like Mikey Hoag, who are spearheading the search for a cure to this disease, brings me hope. With innovative programs like Part the Cloud, I know we are getting closer to a world without Alzheimer’s.”
The evening ended with a powerful performance by Jon Batiste. “The work that Mikey Hoag and the committee of women behind Part the Cloud are doing is incredible and inspiring,” said Batiste. “I was honored to perform at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association Part the Cloud Gala and to be able to recognize how these women are changing the course of Alzheimer’s disease through research funding.”
Alzheimer’s disease has a far-reaching and devastating impact. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, nearly 7 million Americans over age 65 are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, and more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. In 2024, it is estimated that Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $321 billion, and by 2050, these costs could rise to nearly $1.1 trillion.
Part the Cloud steering committee members include Ellen Drew, Lisa Edelstein, Allison Janney, Olivia Munn, Paula Patton, Shonda Rhimes, Connie Stevens, Maura Tierney, Chandra Wilson, Courteney Cox, Paula Robichaud, and Stanlee R. Gatti of Stanlee R. Gatti Designs, who donated his event consultant services to the event.
For more information on Part the Cloud and its impact, visit www.alz.org/partthecloud.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia®. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
