On December 6th, I'm running my first marathon, the Shanghai Marathon, in memory of my grandma.

Her dementia got worse during the pandemic. Slowly at first, then all at once. Over time she struggled to remember who I was. Then she struggled to remember my mom, her own daughter.

When my mom told me stories about how grandma's mind was slipping, I didn't want to believe it. I was in denial. It was too hard to accept that this strong, opinionated, sweet woman was disappearing while we watched. Toward the end, the fire behind her eyes was going out.

Through all of it, I ran. Running was how I coped, the place I went to process the things I couldn't say out loud. Mile after mile, it gave the grief somewhere to go.

My grandma passed away on July 31st.

So on December 6th, I'm running 26.2 miles for her. Every dollar raised here goes directly to the Dementia Society, Inc., funding critical research toward a cure and better care for those affected by dementia, and providing resources and support to families navigating this disease. I want a future where dementia is understood, where no other family has to watch someone they love fade the way we did.

Thank you for reading her story, and for anything you can give.