Dear friends, family, and colleagues –
A year ago, our beloved Doug Paddon-Jones passed away from an atrocious brain disease called Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD). In Doug’s case, the disease was swift and remorseless. He started to develop mild symptoms by the end of February, the diagnosis was confirmed in early June, and he passed away two months later. A few months after he passed away, I stumbled upon a spreadsheet that Doug had created to track his symptoms and their progression. A true scientist, he was keen to solve the mystery of his illness. Why was he getting dizzy, losing his mobility, balance, vision, and eventually his motor skills?
I’m writing to you today because he would want us to help find a cure for CJD, solve the mystery, and ensure that no other family endures the pain of seeing a loved one affected by this disease.
On October 8, I’m organizing the first annual CJD event in Houston, TX. It will be a chance for us to come together and celebrate those we lost to CJD, build a community, and exercise our bodies and fundraising skills!
The Houston event hopes to raise $20,000. It’s a lofty goal but I know that we can meet it. All proceeds will go to the CJD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide family support, medical education, and research programs. #CureCJD
Note: To donate without registering for the event click “Sponsor/Donate”. To donate and register for the event, click “Register”.
Thank you for your contributions, your empathy, and your love.
Alex
