Carmen Ureta-Matus -Fighting For a Cure for CJD!
Donation protected
Hello everyone,
My name is Roxy and this GoFundMe page has been set up in honour of my mother, Carmen Ureta-Matus, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 22nd, surrounded by her loving family and friends.
My mother was diagnosed on March 18th, 2025 at St. Michael's Hospital with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare, fatal and rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease. Five weeks later, she was taken from us. In just over 2 months, I saw my mother go from being a joyful, vibrant and independent woman who loved to dance and socialize to someone whose cognitive decline made it impossible to recognize her loved ones. In a matter of weeks, she lost her ability to walk, talk and complete all the basic functions of daily life.
This disease affects 1-2 per million people every year. It can occur genetically, sporadically, or can be acquired. Doctors and scientists are actively researching ways to understand, prevent and treat CJD and other prion diseases.
As part of my mother's legacy to help her family and other families who may be affected by this horrific disease, we have donated brain tissue and her cerebral spinal fluid to CJD Medical Research but this is just a start.
In honour of her memory and everyone she touched with her kind and open heart, we ask that instead of flowers, you donate to this page so that we may make a big contribution to CJD Research in her name. Every little bit helps. From our family to yours, we thank you.
Please visit the Canadian CJD Association and the CJD Foundation for more information on this disease and ways in which you can become involved in making a difference.
Organizer
Roxy Rojas Ureta
Organizer
Mississauga, ON