Why This Cause Matters To Me

I wanted to share a bit more context about why I am raising money to support this incredible cause. My late grandmother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease when she was only 65 years old. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, there were limited medical resources available, and as a result, she was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s instead of her actual condition, Lewy body dementia.

I am supporting this cause because I don’t want anyone else’s loved ones to suffer in the dark the way my mom and her siblings had to. My grandmother endured nearly a 20-year battle with Lewy body dementia before she passed away about 15 years ago. It is an incredibly heartbreaking disease, and I hope that my small contribution can help, even in a small way, to improve research and move us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

I never really got the chance to know my grandmother because of how aggressively the disease progressed. But through studying neuroscience and psychology at Northeastern University, and by partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association for this race, I hope to help shed light on these devastating diseases and honor her memory.

I wanted to thank everyone again for their donations, they are extremely appreciated!