About Fundraising

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.

Stride with Leonard's Legion

Why We Stride

Our journey with CJD began in 2016 when Leonard started developing odd, random symptoms. Into 2017 we weren’t getting many answers until we received the CJD diagnosis in May of 2017. Like many with CJD, Leonard’s symptoms progressed rapidly until he passed on October 8, 2017. 

Leonard was a husband, son, father, and brother who dedicated his life to serving others through almost 40 years of service to the US Coast Guard, acting as Troop Leader for the Boy Scouts, and volunteering to cook and serve breakfast at his local food pantry.

Almost immediately after learning of the CJD diagnosis, our family was in contact with The CJD Foundation. They provided us with education on the disease and connected us with doctors, even getting Leonard into a study to help track disease progression. 

We Stride to support the work of the Foundation which includes supporting families through the disease, emotional support groups, educating health professionals and funding research on prion diseases. 

Since our journey began, research has already led to the development and implementation of a spinal tap test that can better recognize possible CJD and a clinical trial of a drug that could help delay the progression of CJD. 

Donate to our team to help support the Foundation and honor Leonard’s legacy of serving others. 

Thank you!

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Register

Please note, sponsorships/donations do not include registration; rather, sponsorships/donations and registration are separate transactions. To register*, please click here.

*Registration fees do not count toward the sponsorship and team fundraising deadline or the fundraising competition. They will not appear on the team or individual fundraising thermometers.

Our Team

  • Rebecca Rich Rebecca Rich Team Captain $0.00
  • Seth Auerbach Seth Auerbach
  • Julia Rich Julia Rich
  • Scott Patton Scott Patton
  • Lisa Patton Lisa Patton
  • Harry Auerbach Harry Auerbach
  • Geri Auerbach Geri Auerbach
  • Maddie Edwards Maddie Edwards
  • Lily Bartlett Lily Bartlett
  • Grace Auerbach Grace Auerbach
  • Thomas Auerbach Thomas Auerbach

Team Badges

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Our Supporters

  • Maddie Edwards Last month
  • Anonymous September 2025 $53.00
  • Julia Rich 'Glad to support the cause in memory of our late brother-in-law Leonard.' From David and Jennifer G. August 2025 $100.00
  • Julia Rich July 2025 $250.00
  • Julia Rich July 2025 $250.00
  • Julia Rich 'Glad to support the cause in memory of our late brother-in-law Leonard.' From David and Jennifer G. August 2025 $100.00
  • Anonymous September 2025 $53.00

Recent Activity

About Strides for CJD

Strides for CJD is an annual walk/run to raise awareness of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare neurodegenerative disease that has no treatment or cure. Through this event, anyone -- anywhere -- can pay tribute to their loved ones and raise funds for the CJD Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Funds raised support our programs including:

  • Our 24/7 helpline, support groups, conference, and other family programs throughout the year.
  • Research grants to help scientists make important discoveries and bring us closer to a cure.
  • Medical education to help raise awareness and understanding of prion disease.