Cincinnati, OH

Date: Saturday, October 03, 2026

                                      *Event is on rain or shine*

Captain: Brooke Thacker - cincinnatistrides@outlook.com

                             About Strides for CJD Cincinnati, OH

Brooke is hosting the first-ever Strides for CJD in Cincinnati, OH in honor of her father Kevin who passed away of sporadic CJD in January 2025 at just 55 years old.

His symptoms began in August 2024, starting with severe insomnia and gradually progressing to imbalance and a decline in motor skills. At first, he was told it was a stress-related sleep disorder. As time went on, our family sensed something more serious was happening, and we pushed for further answers at another hospital in November. A few weeks after admission, we received the devastating diagnosis of sporadic CJD.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain disorder within a group of illnesses called prion diseases. In the United States there are approximately 600 new CJD cases per year. There is no treatment or cure but there are promising new research studies every year.

As a family deeply rooted in our community, we were surrounded with unwavering love and support throughout the devastation of my dad’s CJD diagnosis, the challenges of his care, and the grief that followed losing such a remarkable person. We were incredibly fortunate to never feel alone during an unimaginably difficult time, and I never took anyone’s compassion for granted.

Because CJD can be such an isolating diagnosis, I felt called to create a space where others affected by this disease can feel that same sense of connection and support. My hope is that Strides for CJD Cincinnati becomes a community that brings people together—honoring the lives of those we’ve lost and offering comfort, understanding, and togetherness to anyone walking this same heartbreaking path.

At our inaugural walk/run event, we will have a moment of silence and memorial table to honor loved ones, kids activities, music and a silent auction.

We hope you will join us to raise awareness and funds through Strides for CJD to support families facing this devastating disease and fund vital research toward a cure.

• Register by Wed., Aug. 19th 11:59pm ET to receive a free Strides for CJD t-shirt with your registration.
• Registration costs $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under thru Thurs., Sept. 10th at 11:59pm ET. After that, costs jump to $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 & under.
• Online registration ends Thursday, 12:00pm ET the Thursday before your event. After that, you can register on-site the day of your event.
• Once registered, jon our Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2023575221706155/ 

To donate to our event text STRIDES2026 cincinnatistrides to 50155.

Print this sponsorship letter and give it to your employer, local businesses, or corporations.