Chasing Hope
Chasing Hope Luncheon
Chasing Hope is an annual luncheon benefiting the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at the Mass General Brigham Center for Neuroscience Institute. Hosted by Carrie Marriott and a distinguished host committee, the luncheon has raised over $2.3 million to fuel the center’s life-changing research into five of the world’s most complex neurologic diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors.
Held for the first time in 2019 in Washington, DC, Chasing Hope combines personal stories with discussions on the latest advances in research in neurologic diseases, making for an inspirational and unforgettable event.
Previous speakers and moderators include:
- Norah O’Donnell, anchor and managing editor of CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes correspondent
- Ann Romney, global ambassador of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases
- Meredith Vieira, broadcast journalist and television personality, and her late husband, journalist and author Richard M. Cohen
- Experts including Laurie Cox, PhD, assistant professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School, Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc, executive director, Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute Director, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS, Saranna Fanning, PhD, assistant professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School, Vikram Khurana, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Movement Disorders, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Asia (Joanna) Korecka-Roet, PhD, assistant professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School, Dennis J. Selkoe, MD, co-director, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Reisa A. Sperling, MD, MMSc, director, Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, and Howard L. Weiner, MD, co-director, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases.
Host Committee
Abeer Al Otaiba
Rene Augustine
Amy Baier
Marci Brand
Patrice King Brickman
April Delaney
Karen Donatelli
Jean-Marie Fernandez
Debbie Forrest
Mae Grennan
Karen Herron
Kimberly Holland
Amy Knight
Carrie Marriott, Chair
Anna Marie Parisi-Trone
Tara Primis
Ann Romney
Toni G. Verstandig
Photos from the 2026 Chasing Hope Luncheon
Ann Romney Center
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About the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases
Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases within the Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute is a collaborative global pursuit to accelerate treatments, prevention, and cures for five of the world’s most complex neurologic diseases: multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors.