In early July, Joseph “Joe” Convertini, was admitted to the hospital after suddenly developing symptoms that initially appeared to be the result of a stroke.
Over the coming days, he underwent extensive testing—including CT scans, MRIs, EEGs, blood work, and numerous treatments—but none of them seemed to identify the cause of his rapidly worsening symptoms. As doctors worked diligently to determine what was causing his decline, they exhausted nearly every possible diagnosis. It wasn’t until a lumbar puncture, considered a final diagnostic step, that additional testing confirmed the devastating diagnosis that we, admittedly, had never heard of before: Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), an exceptionally rare and rapidly progressive prion disease that affects only one to two people per million each year. There is currently no treatment or cure.
Looking back, we now recognize the subtle changes in the months leading up to his diagnosis, including increasing difficulty sleeping, balance issues, blurry vision, and forgetfulness. Once his symptoms accelerated, the disease progressed with unimaginable speed. From the time of his diagnosis to his passing was only 12 days. Joe was only 67 years old, and his journey underscores both the cruelty of this disease and the strength, dignity, and love he showed until the end.
Our family is heartbroken by the loss of an extraordinary husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend. Joe was known for his quiet strength, kind heart, and genuine care for others. He had a remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel heard, valued, and at ease, and his absence leaves an immeasurable void that will never be filled.
We are honoring Joe’s life by asking for your support of the CJD Foundation and the critical work being done to increase awareness, accelerate research, advance effective treatments, and ultimately find a cure for this devastating disease.
Our mission is simple: no other family should have to experience the heartbreak and helplessness that CJD brings.
Thank you for remembering Joe and for supporting the mission to bring hope to families affected by Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Every contribution helps move us one step closer to better treatments and, one day, a cure.