Play a hand in funding brain research
Australian bridge players are trying their luck at raising money for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, as part of Neuroscience Research Australia’s (NeuRA) Bridge for Brain Research Challenge held in May.
Australian bridge players are trying their luck at raising money for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, as part of Neuroscience Research Australia’s (NeuRA) Bridge for Brain Research Challenge held in May.
In its 10th year, the challenge is a national event in support of research at NeuRA – one of the nation’s leading medical research institutes.
Bridge is a trick taking game using a standard 52-card deck. It is played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a table.
Millions of people play bridge worldwide in clubs, tournaments, online and with friends at home, making it one of the world’s most popular card games, particularly among seniors.
The game consists of several deals, each progressing through four phases: dealing the cards, the auction (also referred to as bidding), playing the hand, and scoring the results.
Dealing the cards and scoring the results are procedural activities while the auction and playing the hand are the two actively competitive phases of the game.
More than 30,000 people have participated in NeuRA’s Bridge for Brain Research Challenge since it started, and a total of $250,000 has been raised for brain research.
Pictured is 103 year old, Marion Rice, who has played in every Bridge for Brain Research Challenge to date.
Funds raised by bridge clubs support NeuRA researchers working on improving early diagnosis of dementia and developing treatments to prevent the disease altogether.
Recent research has shown that exercising the brain and keeping an active mind can reduce the chance of developing dementia.
There is no entry fee, however NeuRA is relying on the support and generosity of bridge clubs and players to use this event to raise funds and make a donation.
Register for the 2013 Bridge for Brain Research Challenge by downloading a registration form, or call NeuRA on 1300 888 019. You can also register your interest by emailing foundation@neura.edu.au. All registered clubs will receive a complete ‘Play Kit’ in the post by mid April.
