A Bequest from Ralph Sacco Supports New Research Funding on Brain Health

who died of glioblastoma in January 2023, achieved many pinnacles of success in his storied career.He was the first neurologist to serve as president of both the American Heart Association (AHA) from 2010-2011, and the AAN from 2017-2019.He also volunteered for both organizations in many other capacities.When he was diagnosed in October 2022, he placed bequests to both societies in his will.One month later, he called me to share his decision-and to ask that the AHA and AAN work together to apply the funds to advance brain health."We need a multisectoral and multiprofessional approach to brain health," he told me."One organization alone can't do it."He wanted to educate the public, much as he had done during his years of conducting epidemiological research in stroke prevention, so individuals would be able to "take control and do something to prevent disease and keep their brains healthy."In May of 2023, leaders from both organizations and experts across the spectrum of brain health specialties met to consider how to best execute his vision.That discussion culminated in, among other ideas, the establishment of the Ralph L.