Outrunning Alzheimer's
Fred Kilfoil is running the entire length of Maine this summer from Fort Kent to Kittery in order to raise money for Alzheimer's Research.
A Portland, Maine resident - Fred lost not only his father from complications related to Alzheimer's Disease, but also his father's 10 siblings. Having met most of them over the years, Fred knew that most of them were said to have died from "old age" but looking back, there is little doubt from what we know now, that many of them also were suffering from
Alzheimer's.
When Fred's older sister and brother were diagnosed with Alzheimer's it left the rest of him and his siblings wondering, "Who will be next?"
Doctors tell you that there is no cure. That may, or may not, be the case. The thing is, we simply don't know yet.
For sure, the four commonly prescribed medicines do not provide a cure. Even worse, their side effects usually just make everything worse!
Well into his 70's, Fred currently has no signs or symptoms of Alzheimer's onset. He attributes this to his diet and lifestyle. Knowing he wanted to run the length of Maine to bring awareness to this worthy cause, he also wanted to make sure he was donating all the funds raised to a research team looking into the connection between Alzheimer's and an individual's diet and exercise habits.
In mid-May, Fred and the Outrunning Alzheimer's team met with Gareth Howell, at Jackson Laboratories in Bar Harbor to discuss the important research going on at the facility. Both the Howell Laboratory and the Carter Laboratory are researching the impact of diet, nutrition, exercise --- the areas which Fred strongly believes we are likely to make the greatest gains in understanding, and thus combating, Alzheimer's. It was decided that all funds raised in the Outrunning Alzheimer's project would go towards this research being conducted at Jackson Labs.
Fred will be running from Fort Kent to Kittery, making stops along the way in Augusta, Bangor, Bar Harbor and more in an effort to raise awareness not only of the devastating effects of Alzheimer's, but also of the amazing work currently underway to find a cure for this devastating disease.
Follow Fred on this journey on Facebook at outrunningalzheimers.com and "like" the site while you are there. That little click, that alone, will help us spread the word. Of course, any financial contribution will certainly be appreciated too!
