I'm participating in Strides for CJD - a 5k walk/run to raise awareness of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare, degenerative fatal brain disease affecting about one in a million people each year. Currently, there is no cure or effective treatment. Symptoms of CJD can resemble those of other dementia-like brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's, but it usually progresses much more rapidly. 

My Aunt Patty has been battling this terrible disease since July 2018. We were told she has the "sporadic" type of CJD (sCJD) which accounts for about 85% of cases seen and occurs for no known reason. In the early stages of the disease, people may have failing memory, behavioral changes, lack of coordination and visual disturbances.  As the illness progresses, mental deterioration becomes pronounced and involuntary movements, blindness, weakness of extremities and coma may occur. It runs an extremely rapid course and has been absolutely devastating.

Through this event, anyone -- anywhere -- can pay tribute to their loved ones and raise funds for the CJD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, to provide family support, medical education and research programs. I'm participating in Strides for CJD for my Aunt Patty — please consider donating and sponsoring me so that hopefully we can one day identify a cure.