Students for Alzheimer’s Research India (SARI) empowers University of Toronto students to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related neuroscience and psychological research initiatives in India. Through dynamic campus and Toronto community events, strategic partnerships with researchers (including IIT Hyderabad), and transparent fund allocation, we bridge critical gaps in India’s dementia research landscape while fostering student leadership and cross-cultural impact.
Who We Are
Sarrinah, a Psychology student (Honours BSc + Health Studies Certificate), launched SARI with her best friend Nabiha Afreen in early 2026 after losing her grandmother to dementia, compounded by inadequate mental health support and limited access to specialized care.This personal tragedy—watching a loved one fade without proper psychological or medical interventions—drove Sarrinah to create a platform where U of T students can channel their skills into meaningful global impact.
The Crisis Driving SARI
Approximately 8.8 million Indians aged 60+ currently live with dementia (7.4% prevalence), with cases projected to quadruple by 2050 as India’s population rapidly ages. Prevalence is higher among women (9.0%) than men (5.8%) and in rural areas (8.4%) than urban (6.4%). SARI channels student energy into action: bake sales, cultural nights, awareness campaigns with 100% net proceeds to verified Indian research partners.
Our 2026-2027 Goals
- Host 8+ fundraising events raising $5,000+ for India dementia research.
- Grow to 50+ active members across U of T campuses.
- Secure formal partnerships (IIT Hyderabad + 2 nonprofits).
- Launch workshops on Alzheimer’s stigma, immigrant caregiver burdens, dementia literacy.