Redefining old age with two $5 million gifts

Two extraordinary gifts totalling $10 million have been donated towards improving health outcomes, so our world-class researchers can continue to answer our Campaign For All Our Futures question: “Can we redefine old age?”

Sir David Levene and Cliff Cook

Philanthropist and Auckland businessman Sir David Levene donated $5 million to brain research, while Metlifecare founder Cliff Cook donated $5 million to establish the Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well, with an esteemed professor now appointed to the role.

Sir David’s gift has established the first-ever endowed chair in brain research at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. It will be called the David Levene Foundation Chair in Brain Research.

Sir David says he was inspired to donate after seeing friends and family suffer from the challenges of brain disease such as Parkinson’s, dementia and motor neuron disease.

“My late wife Billie suffered from Parkinson’s and I have friends whose better halves suffer from dementia. Ageing is not easy, so if we can research ways to prevent and treat brain disease to ease suffering that can only be a good thing.”

Neuroscientist Distinguished Professor Sir Richard Faull leads the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. He says Sir David’s gift is immensely appreciated.

“Sir David has shown significant foresight in investing in the future of brain research. It is vital that we continue to develop new therapies and treatments for brain disease, and give hope to the one in five people in New Zealand who are affected by brain disorders.”

Establishing the Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well has meant Cliff can celebrate the memory of the chair’s namesake, his mother Joyce Cook.

Joyce, a nurse, was a pioneer in the care of the elderly and chairwoman of the Residential Care Association.

Professor Ngaire Kerse has recently been appointed to the Chair. Cliff says he is thrilled to have someone of Ngaire’s calibre and experience advocating for older people.

“I’m thrilled that a researcher of Professor Kerse’s standing and experience has been appointed to the Chair. It’s even more fitting that she shares with Mum a passion for aged care. I wish Ngaire all the best in this role, because we could do so much better by our older people. We need to change limiting perceptions and allow them to continue contributing.”

Ngaire is recognised as an international expert in maximising health, reducing falls for older people and the impact of physical activity on development of disability.

She wants to use her new role to mobilise communities to be social connectors for the ageing and lonely, with the broader goal of transforming cities and rural towns into age-friendly environments for our increasingly diverse elderly.