The wife of legendary University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal has told a joint legislative committee that her family foundation will create a fund to support Alzheimer's disease research in Texas in her husband's name.
Royal, who suffers from the disease, also appeared at the hearing along with seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and actor Matthew McConaughey.
Edith Royal described to the committee how hard it is to care for someone in the advanced stages of the disease, which results in dementia and sometimes violent behavior. Edith Royal said that while Texas ranks third in the nation for the disease, most of the research takes place on the east and west coasts.
The DKR Fund for Alzheimer's Research will fund collaborative research in Texas.
Alzheimer's Fund Set Up to Honor Former UT Coach Darrell Royal
Royal was UT's head coach from 1957–1976, the Longhorns' stadium is named for him
Copyright AP - Associated Press
