Joan and Paul Rubschlager

Joan and Paul Rubschlager have not experienced the devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease in their immediate family, but they've watched as friends and neighbors have been affected over the years, and recognized the disease as one of today's most pressing public health issues. Longtime sponsors of the Alzheimer's Association Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala, the couple joined the Zenith Society in 2012 with a generous gift to support the Association's global research program. In 2018, the Rubschlagers made a second Zenith Society-level investment to support nationwide U.S. Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER).

The couple's passion for medical research has been inspired by the progress they've witnessed and experienced in their lifetimes. They're hopeful that investments in Alzheimer's research will lead to breakthroughs for other neurodegenerative disorders as well, such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), which claimed Paul's father's life.

"We believe a big discovery in this field could unlock a cure for all neurological diseases, and we hope it will happen in our lifetimes," Joan says.