By Jacqueline Kimball
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

During the inaugural kickoff breakfast for his Beat Michigan Tailgate, former Ohio State University Head Coach Earle Bruce announced his family’s charitable commitment to The Earle & Jean Bruce Alzheimer’s Research Fund for the neurology department at OSU. There, he accepted a $50,000 donation from Hickory Chase to advance that goal.

The breakfast was held in September at the Hickory Chase welcome center. The Erickson retirement community that will open next year in Hilliard is the headline sponsor for Coach Bruce’s annual tailgate this November. All tailgate proceeds will go toward bringing a full-service Alzheimer’s research center to OSU.

Executive Director Becky Converse, who presented the check, cites Erickson’s history of philanthropic involvement. “For 25 years,” says Converse, “the mission of Erickson has been to share our gifts to create communities that celebrate life— both inside and outside our gates. Hickory Chase is strongly committed to giving back to the greater community. We are absolutely honored to work with Coach Bruce and support his efforts relating to Alzheimer’s research through an event as important—and as fun— as the Beat Michigan Tailgate.”

Coach Bruce’s father and sister both had Alzheimer’s. “We need a research center right here in Columbus,” he says, “and we’re unbeatable when we work together.” Daughter Lynn Bruce is the foundation’s executive director.

OSU’s Alzheimer’s research
Dr. Douglas Scharre, director of cognitive neurology at The Ohio State University Medical Center, has researched Alzheimer’s for more than 12 years. At the breakfast, he outlined the range of research projects underway at OSU. He’s especially hopeful about those aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. “The tailgate means so much to get needed funding for research,” he says.