It began with a few forgotten words. A couple of blank stares.  The loss of the ability to drive a car. 

This was the start of my family's journey with dementia.

Seven years ago my Mom was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) which is a condition that slowly damages the parts of the brain that control speech and language. The woman who taught me that "there is a song for every occasion and a solution to every problem" now couldn't formulate a sentence. I was shattered.

And while nobody knows why this happened, we do know that research indicates our family will be among millions to lose a loved one to this terrible disease in the future. In fact, the number of people with dementia is predicted to rise to over 1.1 million by 2030.  

While much of this journey has been filled with mourning and grief, there is also the recognition that could she speak, Mom would be encouraging me to turn this experience into something good for others. 

So that is what we will do.

Marathon #7 will be in honor of her, the woman who used to cheer for me the loudest at every race, and who I believe, in her own way, still cheers the loudest for me today.

Thank you for your consideration of a donation and any support you are able to give towards advancing the research and treatments needed to find a cure for families around the globe.

Once again, I am immensely grateful for your help. Let's go get 'em!

With Love,

Chanti