1998 Campaign Update

Even though we have entered 1999, there is still time to make a contribution to the 1998 Research Foundation of the AANS campaign. Your name can still be included on the donor wall at the AANS Annual Meeting in New Orleans. We also will publish the names of all of our donors in the next issue of the Bulletin, and on our Web site, NEUROSURGERY://ON-CALL®. Make sure your name is included along with those of your peers who have helped provide for the future of our specialty with a generous contribution. We hope this year’s campaign is our best ever, both in terms of total funds raised, and in the number of members who contribute.

Endowment Fund

Donations are placed in the Foundation’s board-designated endowment fund. The earnings from that endowment are used to provide Research Fellowships and Young Clinician Investigator Awards. Over the past 15 years, this Foundation has provided more than $2 million to 50 promising young researchers. In addition,

• These “seed grants” have generated approximately $20 million in subsequent research funding;

• Fourteen of our past winners are now, or have been, directors of research laboratories; four are program directors;

• An estimated 35 prominent Universities or major medical facilities have had staff neurosurgeons receive Research Foundation funding;

• Past grant recipients serve on the editorial boards of more than 50 peer-reviewed journals; and

• There have been more than 90 journal publications and 10 book chapters published with Research Foundation funds.

More than 85 percent of all contributed funds have been spent directly on funded research. And, total expenses over the last five years have averaged less than 13.5 percent of total revenues.

Yet, last year, only 4.4 percent of AANS members made a contribution to the Research Foundation. Of the 39 applications we received, 34 were rejected due to our lack of funds. Imagine what more we could do with greater member participation.

Make Your Contribution Today

Earlier this year, five grants were made covering topics related to brain tumors, gene transfers, and our first Outcomes Study. This year, I am happy to report the applications again are of the highest caliber, and hold exciting prospects for even greater discoveries in our specialty. Unfortunately, most of these promising studies will not receive funding due to low member support. I urge you to make a generous contribution to the Research Foundation.

Gifts in memory of a deceased family member, loved one, or personal colleague, as well as honorary gifts are encouraged. You might consider making a gift of securities, such as appreciated stock. Creative giving may help you to avoid certain taxes.

And don’t forget, a gift by your will or trust to the Research Foundation, or naming the Research Foundation as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, provides for neuroscience research long after your death.

Please join with us to ensure a future of significant advances in our field. Make your generous contribution to the AANS Research Foundation today!

Julian T. Hoff, MD, Chairman, Executive Council, and John R. O’Connell, Fund Development Director, contributed to this report. ]]>