Chances are good that you, like myself, have been personally touched by Alzheimer’s. This devastating disease afflicts over 5 million Americans, a figure that will continue to rise rapidly if awareness and research support remain disproportionately low. Over 12 times as much money is devoted to cancer research, and almost 7 times as much to AIDS, as is spent on Alzheimer’s disease research. Although Alzheimer’s is the 6^th highest killer in the U.S., it’s the only in the top 10 without a treatment.

A future that is absent of its past, and a life void of an identity, hits too close to home for myself and my family. With a grandfather who suffered from dementia, and the knowledge that high genetic risk is carried in my family, the fear of dementia is real. But beyond these personal motivations, my research into the brain processes underlying Alzheimer’s has offered a sobering perspective on the challenges remaining to eradicate the disease. Alzheimer’s does not discriminate and it does not relent once it has begun, yet there is currently no treatment or cure. With your support, together we can improve the lives of those struggling with a fading past, and work towards a future without Alzheimer’s.

On January 17, 2016 I will run the Carlsbad marathon in memory of all who have lost theirs to Alzheimer’s. As a former chronically injured marathoner, my physical struggles cannot compare to the suffering experienced by those afflicted with dementia. But my journey back to strength and health exemplifies what I envision possible for our battle with Alzheimer’s. With enough hope and determination I found victory over injury, and with hope and determination I am confident we can similarly defeat Alzheimer’s. This race is more than just another marathon – it will be my first barefoot marathon, a celebration of both my personal health and the future well-being of our aging loved ones. Running 26.2 barefoot miles will not be easy. But conceding defeat to Alzheimer’s would be much harder.

Thanks for your support and for joining me in the fight against Alzheimer’s!