By Anne DeVries
Alzheimer’s Texas, the Darrell K. Royal Research Fund (DKR Fund), and the Texas Healthy Brain Initiative (THBI) hosted a luncheon on October 28 at Westwood Country Club. The gathering brought together community leaders, caregivers, and advocates to hear from two influential figures: Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Singletary and world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Hunt Batjer, on brain health, dementia prevention, and the need for ongoing research.
The event served as a rallying cry for Texans to vote yes on Amendment 14, a ballot measure proposing $3 billion in state funding to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT). This institute would drive innovative research into dementia causes, from early childhood factors and veteran injuries to athletic head traumas and lifestyle impacts.
Keynote speaker Mike Singletary, a Super Bowl champion and NFL Hall of Famer, shared his evolution from professional athlete to advocate for healthy aging. "As a player, I gave everything to the game," Singletary shared. "Now my focus is on living a healthy lifestyle because prevention matters." He stressed that brain health is a daily commitment, not solely a medical concern, inspiring attendees to prioritize proactive habits.
Joining Singletary was Dr. Hunt Batjer, a Texas native and internationally acclaimed neurosurgeon specializing in brain and spinal health. After chairing neurosurgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, Dr. Batjer returned to his home state in 2012 to lead the department at UT Southwestern. His expertise gained national prominence during the 2010 CTE crisis, when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed him co-chair of the league’s Head, Neck and Spine Committee—a role he held for eight years.
DKR Fund president Debbie Hanna highlighted the organization's long-term dedication. "For years, we have worked to elevate brain health to the level of urgency it deserves, and Amendment 14 is the result of that persistence," Hanna said. "Now, Texans have the chance to take the next step in creating a statewide institute that will fuel research, prevention, and hope for generations to come."
DK Reynolds, a prominent community leader and dedicated board member for Alzheimer’s Texas, also addressed the group. She expressed optimism for Amendment 14's passage and DPRIT's potential. "Research would shine light on early childhood episodes that lead to later-life dementia," Reynolds noted. “Veterans’ injuries and their compromised ability to manage the symptoms… discrete or serious head injuries incurred by athletes, young or old, causing cognitive impairment; the often dire consequences of poor lifestyle and behavior decisions—and, yes, what actually constitutes health and injury.”
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Alzheimer’s Texas, the DKR Fund, THBI, and the broader community, Amendment 14 has been successfully adopted into the Texas State Constitution. The $3 billion in funds will be drawn from existing state resources, paving the way for DPRIT to advance dementia prevention and research.
This luncheon marked the second installment in the three-part Leading the Conversation Series, which kicked off in January with Dr. Ron Petersen of the Mayo Clinic. The series will wrap up in January 2026 with a lecture by Dr. Laura DeFina, a board-certified internal medicine specialist and CEO of the renowned Cooper Clinic. Dr. DeFina is a published expert on health, fitness, and the heart-brain connection in aging.
The luncheon underscores our community's commitment to tackling dementia head-on. With Amendment 14 now passed, creating a new state-funded dementia research institute, Texas is poised to lead the nation in brain health innovation—offering hope to individuals and families affected by these challenging conditions.
