(OKLAHOMA CITY) — The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation today announced the endowment of the G.T. Blankenship Chair in Alzheimer’s and Aging Research. The chair was made possible through a grant from the Sarkeys Foundation.
“OMRF is fortunate to have received such a generous gift from the Sarkeys Foundation,” said OMRF President J. Donald Capra, M.D. “The Foundation has enjoyed a relationship with the Sarkeys Foundation since 1965, and we look forward to the exciting research the Blankenship Chair will yield.”
The Sarkeys Foundation has contributed over $1 million to OMRF during its giving history. The funds have supported general biomedical research, diabetes research, equipment needs, and building construction. Sarkeys has funded AIDS research at OMRF, supporting the research of Jordan Tang, Ph.D. and the Protein Studies Laboratory. In addition, the Sarkeys Foundation has been a strong advocate of OMRF’s educational mission by supporting the Fleming and Foundation Scholars program.
“Since OMRF is a private, non-profit, biomedical research institute, we are dependent upon the philanthropy of individuals and foundations like Sarkeys,” said Art Cotton, Vice President for Development for OMRF. “Without these gifts, grants, and donations, world-class science and research would not be possible at OMRF. We are deeply appreciative of this gift from the Sarkeys Foundation.”
The Sarkeys Foundation is a private, charitable foundation which supports religious, charitable, scientific, and educational non-profit institutions. The primary focus of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma and the Southwest.
Recently, both the Sarkeys Foundation and OMRF were honored by the Central Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association for outstanding contributions to Alzheimer’s and aging concerns: the Sarkeys Foundation was honored for its philanthropic support with the McDaniel Award of Excellence. Dr. Jordan Tang, Member and Head of the Protein Studies Department at OMRF, was presented the Brumback Award for Excellence in Research.
Tang and his colleagues in the Protein Studies laboratory first isolated and reproduced Memapsin 2, the enzyme scientists believe is responsible for Alzheimer’s Disease, and then designed a chemical inhibitor to stop the enzyme and prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. Although the research is in the earliest stages, this development is a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease.
The Sarkeys grant is part of OMRF’s comprehensive campaign, entitled “For the Future of Medical Research.” This drive seeks to raise $100 million in five years for both endowment needs and capital improvements. As of May, more than $50.5 million had been received or pledged to the fundraising effort. The campaign was officially launched on November 10, 1999.
Chairman of the “For the Future of Medical Research” campaign is H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt, chairman of BankFirst Corporation and prominent civic leader and philanthropist. OMRF’s Chairman of the Board of Directors is David R. Brown, M.D., Oklahoma City. The campaign committee includes Sharon Bell, partner in Rogers and Bell law firm of Tulsa; Len Cason, partner in Hartzog Conger and Cason of Oklahoma City; Michael A. Cawley, president an CEO of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation of Ardmore; and Brooks (Boots) Hall, Jr., chairman of Fred Jones Automotive Group of Oklahoma City.
Chartered in 1946, OMRF is a private, non-profit biomedical research institution which employs over 400 scientists, physicians, technicians, and administrative and support personnel, including Oklahoma’s only two Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. OMRF focuses on several critical areas of research: Cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, lupus and other autoimmune diseases, stroke, AIDS, children’s diseases and genetic disorders.
