I am again Captain for Team Hildenbrand Halo this year  in memory of my Dad, Charles Hildenbrand. My Dad, also know as Grandpa, Uncle Bud and Chuck to his many friends and family, died at the age of 64 from CJD, only 2 years after he retired. Dad went from being an active, vibrant man to being confused, unable to sleep,  whispering when he talked, needing help dressing, eating, and walking in a few short weeks.

Multiple doctors, hospital stays, misdiagnosis including hospitalized for a stroke, wanting to put him in a rehab for misusing the sleeping pills prescribed and even concluding internal parasites were causing his symptoms! Misc unproductive treatments  led us to Albany Medical hospital in Albany NY. He was admitted for a new round of testing and thru a process of elimination, CJD was the diagnosis. We were presented this information in a medical student classroom along with the medical students and interns, as we were told CJD is very rare.  We went from testing mode  to being told our Dad was dying, there was no treatment and they would make him comfortable with Hospice and a feeding tube. We argued we cannot accept this withour a definitive diagnosis, what if they were wrong and we missed something that could be treated! They did not want to do the brain biopsy neded to confirm as the infectious prion was highly contagious and the equipment my Dad;s brain would be exposed to would need to be destroyed. They finally agreed and a brain biopsy confirmed CJD.  He was in Albany Med a total of 20 days and passed away with all of us at his side, holding his hand, knowing we did all that we could and he would no longer be sufferring from this horrific disease. My son was only 9 at the time, and my nephews never got to meet their Grandpa. Dad would have turned 90 this August and we miss him every day. I turned 64 this past May and this year is a milestone for me as he was 64 when he died. 

CJD is caused by a prion that was creating holes in his brain, eliminating his ability to function on all levels. There is no treatment, it is always fatal and difficult to diagnose.  CJD is in the group of chronic wasting diseases, the best known is Mad Cows disease which had a serious outbreak in Great Britian and was highly publicized. It can be present in many mammals including white tail deer, elk and sheep. The mode of transmission is still being studed. Myself, my son and my siblings are not allowed to donate blood to the Red Cross or be organ donors.  

We have created our Team Hildenbrand Halo in memory of our Dad. Our fundraising is to support the CJD Foundation in research for testing,educating and assisting the medical community with research and funding for a  treatmet. As well as supporting other families who are going thru what we did. The strides the medical community have made include a less invasive test for CJD and a sterilization process for exposed equipment.  I pray in my lifetime a a treatment and cure will be found so other families will not have to go thru what our family did. 

This is why I walk, fundraise and educate all who will hear our story. 

So please join our Team, donate if you can, beome a sponsor or just register and join us on October 7  2023! You will meet some wonderful people, have some awesome food and maybe win a great raffle prize 

Thanks from my whole heart.

Darlene

To donate to my personal fundraising page, text STRIDES2023 HildenbrandHalo to 50155. 

Donations of $250 and above are considered sponsorships.

Sponsorship Levels:

• Premier: $20,000
• Diamond: $10,000
• Platinum: $5,000
• Gold: $1,000
• Silver: $500
• Bronze: $250

Premier, Diamond, and Platinum Sponsors will have their name or logo displayed on participant t-shirts, the Strides for CJD website, and signage. Gold Sponsors will have their name or logo displayed on the Strides for CJD website, and will have their name (not their logo) listed on participant T-shirts and signage. Silver and Bronze Sponsors will have their name listed on the Strides for CJD website only.