June 13, 2020 will mark Sherry and my 50th Wedding Anniversary. A traditional celebration is not possible during the global pandemic. I will celebrate the joy of her life by establishing a Family Memorial Research grant through the Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease Foundation in her name.
As I have reflected on the entire sequence of Sherry and my life together for 47 years and 8 months, I am struck by a few things. In 1993 Sher’s MS diagnosis drove us closer together. We were in fact and deed a couple with great courage and determination to battle MS every day. Our love was immense. Our immediate and extended family including friends was how we were most blessed. Sher’s legacy is our children, grandchildren and those she those she touched. Her fighting spirit, noble bearing, and determination in all things marked a remarkable life. In the end when the CJD ambush struck, our metal was tested. Sher died as she lived giving no quarter and asking none on February 6, 2018. I have described her final fight as her “Alamo”, a hopeless unwinnable fight. My role in the final fight was to stand at a distance with my hands tied behind my back hopeless and powerless to save her. The only thing I could influence was her comfort in the end. I pray I succeeded.
This grant will provide support for continuing research dedicated to finding a treatment and cure for CJD.
(Contributions may be made through Facebook, mail by check @ CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE FOUNDATION, INC, memo, SM Fabian Reseach Grant, 3634 W. Market St., Suite 110, Akron,OH 44333 or by telephone @ 1-800-659-1991.)
What is CJD?
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease, one of several Prion Diseases caused by prion proteins that misfold in the brain. There is no treatment or cure and the disease is invariably fatal.
Mission
The mission of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation is to support families affected by Prion Disease, raise awareness, and support medical education and research. We carry out this mission through:
- Family support including a 7-day HelpLine, referrals, support groups, and teleconference speaker series
- Education and information for families, caregivers, medical professionals, and funeral professionals
- Advocacy with political representatives and public policy makers
- Annual Family Conference that brings together affected families and prion disease experts
- Family Workshops held around the country
- Collaboration with scientists, clinicians, medical centers, health authorities, professional organizations, and international patient associations
- Communication of current research and Foundation activities via newsletter, social media, emails, and family teleconferences
- Research grant program, with international awardees selected by our Scientific Advisory Committee