The family foundation of NBA team owner Dan Gilbert plans to invest around $375 million into health care and research initiatives in Detroit. This significant contribution will support the development of a 72-bed rehabilitation center for stroke patients and the establishment of a research institute dedicated to addressing a genetic disease that affected Gilbert’s son.
Following his own stroke in 2019, Gilbert, who is the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the founder of Rocket Companies in Detroit, received extensive care in Chicago. In recognition of the support he received during his recovery, Gilbert’s foundation will create a $10 million fund aimed at assisting low-income residents who receive care at the new Detroit rehab center. The facility will be managed by the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, based in Chicago, and will contribute to the expansion of the Henry Ford Health system in Detroit.
Additionally, Gilbert’s foundation will collaborate with Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University to establish the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute. This endeavor is in memory of Gilbert’s son, Nick, who passed away at the age of 26. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that leads to the growth of tumors in the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. By creating this research institute, Gilbert and his foundation aim to further the understanding of this disease and work towards a future without it.
Jennifer Gilbert, Nick Gilbert’s mother, expressed her gratitude for the establishment of the research institute, saying, “Today, we double down on our commitment and honor Nick’s passion for a future without neurofibromatosis.” This significant investment will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the health care and research landscape in Detroit, bringing hope and opportunities to those affected by stroke and genetic diseases like neurofibromatosis.