Donors

Neuroscience Research Center owes much to Ellwood Foundation

The Neuroscience Research Center (NRC) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston might never have been established without funding provided by The Ellwood Foundation, according to John Byrne, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy.

The Duncan family, including (from left) Milane Duncan Frantz, Randa Duncan Williams, Dan L. Duncan, and Jan Duncan.

On a recent trip to a local fast-food restaurant, Randa Duncan Williams' 6-year-old son read the menu to her. This seemingly mundane task was a proud milestone for both mother and son, demonstrating that weeks of tutoring have helped the first-grader cope with his dyslexia and improve his reading skills.

Grateful patient and donor Austin Jones, center, with his physicians Dr. Richard Smalling, left, and Dr. Donald Molony, right.

Austin Jones personally understands the value of medical research. While seeking help from Richard Smalling, M.D., Ph.D., professor of cardiology, 16 years ago, for an aneurysm that had developed on the artery to his spleen, it was discovered that he also had hepatitis C from a previous blood transfusion.