It is no secret that my beloved, sweet mother, Laura, suffered from severe mental illness her entire life. She was always very open about her challenges, fears, and anxieties. Every day of her life, she lived in fear, doubt, and anxiety. Anyone who knew her knew how sweet she was, and yet she would routinely ask those around them "Are you mad at me?" or she would say "People don't want me here", or "I'm an evil person" among other fears. This wasn't a passing fear, it is how she felt EVERY DAY of her life! It is our fear that with the Covid-19 quarantine that was enacted over a month ago for all residents of care facilities, this was a contributing factor to her ultimate death. The fear and alienation only made her illness worse.  It is obvious that even in the year 2020, there is STILL stigma and prejudice against those with mental illness. We hit many roadblocks to her care when she moved to Florida to be closer to my husband and I. It is our intention to raise additional money in her memory to help others who struggle with their mind the way she did until her final days.

100% of every dollar donated for research is invested in our research grants. Our operating expenses are covered by separate foundation grants.

• Since 1987, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) has awarded more than $408 million to fund more than 5,900 grants to more than 4,800 scientists around the world.

• According to the Rand Corporation, BBRF is the nation’s top non-governmental funder of mental health research grants.

• The mission of the Foundation is to alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

• 100% of every dollar donated for research is invested in our research grants. Our operating expenses are covered by separate foundation grants.

• The Foundation only funds scientists whose research is reviewed and recommended by a world-renowned Scientific Council including a Nobel Prizewinner and chairs of psychiatric departments.

• Learn more about the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.