Dear Family and Friends,
This October, our family will participate in the CJD Foundation Strides Walk in memory of my husband, Richard "Rich" Gallagher.
Until this spring, we had never heard of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). Now we know how devastating it is.
Rich was an extraordinary husband, father, coach, runner, and friend. He was endlessly proud of our children, Caleb and Catherine, and brought kindness, humor, and joy to everyone around him. He was truly the heart of our family.
On March 3, Rich had a routine outpatient surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Days later, he began experiencing bizarre neurological symptoms walking oddly, depth perception issues which quickly progressed into significant memory problems, confusion and headaches. We saw doctor after doctor, but despite worsening symptoms—we were repeatedly reassured that everything was fine.
We knew otherwise. I thought he had suffered a stroke.
Instead, each day brought a frightening and rapid decline to losing the ability to walk and eat.
On March 29, Rich was admitted to the hospital. The next day, an MRI suggested the unthinkable—Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. We desperately hoped for another explanation, but on April 12, a spinal tap confirmed the diagnosis. Rich died 5 days later.
In six short weeks, Caleb and Catherine lost their dad, I lost my husband, and our family lost the center of our world.
CJD is a rare, rapidly progressive, and fatal brain disease, caused by misfolded proteins in the brain, called prions. There is no cure and no effective treatment. Most families have never heard of it until it shatters their lives. We certainly hadn't.
There are no words to express the depth of our loss. We miss his steady presence, his kindness, his humor, his generosity, and the way he made everyone around him feel loved. Our hearts are broken, and we are learning to live without him in it.
We are walking because we want Rich's story to matter.
We are walking because no family should ever hear the words, "There is nothing we can do."
We are walking because research offers hope.
Every dollar raised through the CJD Foundation supports research, physician education, the search for treatments, and vital support for families facing this devastating disease.
If Rich touched your life—we would be deeply grateful if you would consider making a donation or joining our team this October.
We cannot change what happened to Rich.
But together, we can help change what happens for the next family.
Thank you for honoring Rich's memory and for walking beside us as we turn heartbreak into hope.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Ann, Caleb, Catherine, and the Gallagher and Powers Families
Caleb Gallagher