Earlier this year, the world lost an amazing woman to CJD. That woman was my mother-in-law, and the amazing grandmother to my son.

After months of battling healthcare bottlenecks, waiting for appointments, searching for answers and causes of her symptoms, her family was finally left to grapple with the certainty of a terminal diagnosis, and a measure of helplessness that could not be managed. 

Helplessness is not something I handle well. To me, there is always some level of action that can be taken in the face of adversity. This disease did not allow for any action. No treatments. No miracle drug. No proactive steps to mitigate the enevitable. Just watch, pray, and wait. While emotional support for my wife and her family may have been my only level of action at the time, it is not anymore. 

I intend to raise money for the CJD Foundation in the hopes that one day, a family will be spared the certainty, and helplessness of this diagnosis, and instead be offered some level of hope. To help raise awareness for the disease and donations for this cause, I am proud to commit to something that I have never attempted before.

On Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at 8am, I will embark on 24 hours of running at the Bear Lake Ultra Marathon in Lapeer, MI. My goal for this event will be to complete 100 miles in that 24 hour span. Though I cannot guarantee I will complete 100 miles, I can promise that I will be running at the beginning, and at the end. If you would like to add some additional motivation to those miles, I encourage you to donate based on my total miles completed. I appreciate everyone's support in this endeavor and any donations to this cause in the loving memory of Kathy Sajewicz.