Dementia Australia - The Hazel Hawke Alzheimer's Research and Care Fund

The Hazel Hawke Alzheimer's Research and Care Fund was established in 2003 by Dementia Australia (formerly known as Alzheimer's Australia) and the family of Hazel Hawke to support research to investigate treatments, therapies and models of care for people with dementia.

"Practically speaking, I hope to help raise much-needed funds by establishing the Hazel Hawke Alzheimer’s Research and Care Fund. I have done this together with Alzheimer’s Australia. We will use the money you donate to assist on-going research into the prevention and management of Alzheimer’ disease, and to help provide crucial services to people and their carers living with dementia. I urge you all to contribute generously to this Fund." - Hazel Hawke (November 2003)

Hazel Hawke passed away on 23 May, 2013 at 83 years of age. During her lifetime, she was committed to community and advocacy work and passionate about women’s rights, heritage and environment, social and community services and media issues.

Hazel was the first prominent Australian to speak publicly about her dementia.

Administered by the Dementia Australia Research Foundation (the research arm of Dementia Australia), donations to the Fund will support research into improving the quality of dementia care whilst providing new opportunities for emerging researchers to develop their careers in the dementia research field.

Why we invest in research

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia and there is no cure.

There are almost half a million Australians currently living with dementia and an estimated 1.6 million Australians involved in their care.

Without a major research breakthrough that can prevent, delay or cure dementia, the number of people with dementia in Australia is set to rise to 1.1 million by 2056, with an estimated cost to the economy of $36.85 billion.

We believe that research holds the key to caring for people living with dementia today and finding a cure for tomorrow.