My name is Sophie and my family has a rare gene mutation that causes Alzheimer’s in mid life - mostly in our 30’s or 40’s - I have a 50/50 chance of having inherited the mutation which would mean that I would start developing symptoms any time now as I’m 42 today - 9th June 2018.

For years I buried my head in the sand and tried not to think about my risk (I was pretty unsuccessful at not thinking about it!) but in 2012 when my mum died I decided to learn as much as I could about it and do everything that I could to make sure that the future was different for future generations of my family and everyone else’s family. I got in touch with the Dememtia Research Centre in London and signed up to participate in research. They also put me in touch with Rare Dementia Support who run support groups for people affected by rare dementias that mostly have a genetic element.

The first meeting that I attended was about a month after my mum’s death - I cried through pretty much the whole thing! It was amazing to be in a room full of people who totally knew how I felt, who had the same thoughts and fears as me and oddly mostly had a great sense of humour and liked a drink too, we were a match made in heaven!

I started my involvement in research later the same year and have been part of a drug trial for over three years now - going to London every four weeks to receive a drug dose and once a year having a battery of cognitive tests, brain scans and a lumbar puncture.

Rare Dementia Support gave me a new normal, a new life where I wasn’t alone and I was always updated on developments in research - together with the Dementia Research Centre they gave me HOPE!!!

I am running at least 3.65 miles every day of my whole 42nd year on this planet for a year to raise money for Rare Dementia Support and the Dementia Research Centre - the money that you generously donate will be split between them. I’m hoping that my Year to Remember will include at least one marathon and maybe two - depending on how lucky I am with the ballots.

I will be updating you throughout my year of running and along with tales of my running I hope to be sharing with you some interviews with other people like me that I have come to know over the years and some dementia experts talking about their areas of dementia expertise - you’ll probably be getting a few pictures of my lush dogs too, that in itself is worth donating a fiver for!

So, join me in making this a year to remember by donating to these two fantastic causes working towards a future where there are cures for dementia.

Sophie x

PS There may be tho occasional day when I am unable to run - for example after a lumbar puncture or maybe for a couple of days after a marathon but I have some fabulous friends and supporters who will run on my behalf on those days if needed.

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