A 110-Year-Old Healthy Brain of Morrie Markoff donated by his family to help advance neurological research, a contribution that may help unlock the secrets of healthy aging and neurological health. Morrie’s daughter, Ms. Hansen, realized his dad’s brain is so great and began researching “brain donation.” This led her to the Brain Donor Project that was established by Gene Armentrout’s family to support NeuroBioBank. The NeuroBioBank collects post-mortem human brain tissue for further neurological research.
While many seniors are aware of organ donation, few realize they can also donate their brain to advance research. If you’ve had cancer, there are well-known ways to contribute to cancer research, but what about healthy seniors living into their 90s or even 110? With more focus now on studying healthy aging, now seniors—whether they have a healthy brain or a neurological condition—can sign up to donate their brain and help unlock the mysteries of aging.
The Brain Donor Project provides a simple, no-cost way for individuals to register as brain donors. This brain donation is one of the most valuable gifts a person can give.
Morrie’s story reminds us that at any age, we can contribute to something greater than ourselves. For caregivers and seniors, this story highlights the importance of finding purpose. Whether through small daily acts of kindness, sharing stories, or even through contributions to science, we all have the power to make a difference in the world. As Morrie’s daughter, Ms. Hansen, beautifully put it: “Isn’t that what we all want? To have purpose?”
No matter what stage of life we are in, we can continue to give, inspire, and create a lasting legacy—just as Morrie did. Finding purpose can be as simple as making a meaningful connection, and it’s something we all can do.
