We participate in Strides for CJD to raise awareness, advance research, and support the mission of the CJD Foundation — and to honor the memory of Diane, who was my wife, mother to Tom and Taryn, sister to Ron, and a friend to many. Diane died from Sporadic CJD in August 2012, only eight months after her diagnosis. Her rapid decline reflects the devastating reality faced by families affected by this disease.
Creutzfeldt‑Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare, 100% fatal, degenerative brain disorder that causes rapidly progressive dementia. It is transmissible, has no treatment or cure, and remains difficult to diagnose. While roughly 500 cases of CJD are definitively identified in the United States each year, many more are likely misdiagnosed or never reported.
CJD belongs to a group of prion diseases — illnesses caused by misfolded proteins in the brain. Whether Sporadic, Genetic, or Acquired, all forms begin when a normal brain protein misfolds and triggers a chain reaction of misfolding, leading to severe neurological damage and ultimately death. Approximately 1 in every 6,200 deaths in the U.S. each year is attributable to prion disease.
The Creutzfeldt‑Jakob Disease Foundation works to support families affected by prion disease, raise public and medical awareness, and advance education and research. By participating in Strides for CJD, we help amplify that mission. We walk to honor Diane, to support families facing this unimaginable diagnosis, and to push for the research that will one day lead to earlier detection, effective treatments, and — ultimately — a cure.