I’m running 33 marathons in 33 days, including one in every county in Ireland for families devastated by dementia, including my own.

Funds raised will support the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the work of our non-profit, the FTD Brothers Foundation.

50% of all donations will be donated directly to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Our Story

We are Jordan and Cian Adams — two of three siblings who grew up in the small town of Redditch, Worcestershire, alongside our mum Geraldine, our dad Glenn, and our older sister Kennedy.

We had a happy childhood. Our parents gave us a strong start in life, and our mum was the heart of everything. She lived for big occasions — birthdays, Christmas, family gatherings — and made every moment feel special. She was loving, generous, full of life, and incredibly social. Mum was also deeply proud of her Irish roots. Her own parents were from the county borderlands between Longford and Leitrim, and she would often slip into an Irish accent when telling stories or chatting with friends. She was the kind of person you couldn’t help but notice when she walked into a room — always smiling, always talking, always lifting others.

So when her personality began to change, it was impossible not to notice.

She became quieter. Less outgoing. Her mood dropped. Her memory began to fail. At first, we didn’t understand what was happening — but we knew something wasn’t right. Over time, those changes became more pronounced, and our dad began seeking medical help to find answers.

What followed were months of uncertainty — repeated GP visits, consultant appointments, and several incorrect diagnoses, including depression, mental health issues, and even a silent stroke. Eventually, on 23rd June 2010, our mum was diagnosed with early-onset Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).

That evening, our dad had to tell us that our mum was terminally ill and that her condition would deteriorate over the next 6–10 years. At the time, Kennedy was 17, Jordan was 15, and Cian was just 9 years old.

In the years that followed, we became carers for our mum as her condition progressed. That meant taking away her car keys when she could no longer safely drive but couldn’t remember why. Making sure she didn’t wander out of the house and become lost. Later, it meant helping to feed her, move her, and support her with the most basic daily tasks when she could no longer walk or speak.

These are things no child should have to do for a parent — but when it’s someone you love, you do what you have to do.

On 14th March 2016, our mum passed away peacefully at home, aged just 52.

The Irish Roots of Our Dementia

Our connection to Ireland is not only emotional — it is medical.

Our nan was one of six siblings, and heartbreakingly, four of those six developed familial Frontotemporal Dementia. Between those four siblings, there were 13 children — including our mum and our auntie. Of those 13 cousins, eight went on to develop and later pass away from FTD.

For decades, dementia quietly and relentlessly affected our family. Generation after generation lived through repeated loss without answers, explanations, or understanding of why this kept happening.

It was through medical research in Ireland that the cause was finally identified.

Researchers discovered that the dementia affecting our family is caused by a mutation in the MAPT gene — a genetic fault that leads to Frontotemporal Dementia. This mutation is inherited, meaning each child of a carrier has a 50% chance of inheriting it.

For the first time, our family had clarity.

Breaking the Cycle

After our mum’s passing, our sister Kennedy felt a burning need to know whether she would inherit the same illness. Through family connections in Ireland, she arranged an appointment at the Dublin Neurological Institute with Professor Tim Lynch, who had researched familial FTD within our family.

Kennedy underwent research studies and genetic counselling before receiving her test result in 2018. She had inherited the normal copy of the gene from our dad — meaning she would not develop FTD.

For the first time in years, we had good news.

Kennedy was able to move forward, start a family, and live without the shadow we had all been carrying. Her bravery gave Jordan the courage to follow the same path. In September 2018, Jordan received his result: a carrier of the faulty MAPT gene, meaning he will develop the same form of dementia as our mum.

Jordan describes that diagnosis as a 'licence to live'. Knowing what lies ahead has sharpened every decision since — including the decision to ensure this disease is not passed on further. Tragically, earlier this year, Jordan and his partner Agnès learned during a pregnancy that their child had also inherited the faulty gene, and they were unable to continue. Their journey to start a family continues.

In February 2023, Cian also chose to be tested. He too is a carrier.

That means we both will develop Frontotemporal Dementia, likely becoming symptomatic in our early 40s and losing our lives within a decade of diagnosis.

Several of our cousins have also chosen to undergo genetic testing — something previous generations were never able to do. These decisions are deeply personal and incredibly difficult, but they represent a collective determination to end decades of silent heartbreak in our family.

A Licence to Live

When we received our diagnoses, it could have been the end of hope.

Instead, it became the beginning of purpose.

We have chosen to use the time we have — while our minds are still here — to act. To educate. To raise awareness. And to try to change what the future looks like for families affected by dementia.

That is why we run.

That is why we speak publicly.

And that is why, in 2024, we formally came together as The FTD Brothers.

That year alone, through endurance challenges, storytelling, and community support, we raised over £250,000 for dementia research. It brought us closer to our lifetime mission:

To raise £1 million for dementia research and support before dementia takes our lives too.

We still have over £600,000 to go — and this challenge is the next step.

Why Ireland? Why This Challenge?

This run — 32 marathons in 32 days across every county in Ireland — is deeply personal.

Ireland is where crucial research into our family’s genetic dementia took place. It is where our mum’s roots lie. And it is where thousands of families are living with dementia right now.

Dementia does not respect borders, counties, or communities. By running every county, we want to represent every family, every carer, and every person affected — north and south.

Our Mission Going Forward

The FTD Brothers Foundation CIC was created to ensure our impact goes far beyond fundraising alone.

We exist to:

**50% of all funds raised through this campaign will be donated directly to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland**, supporting families living with dementia today. The remaining funds will help us continue this mission long into the future.

Why This Matters?

We are running while our minds are still here.

We are doing this for our mum.

For our family.

And for every family living with dementia.

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for supporting.

And thank you for helping us turn urgency into impact.

Jordan & Cian - The FTD Brothers