On Sunday, October 10th, I will be running the Chicago Marathon to support the Josephine and John Marr Alzheimer’s Research Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital!

Josephine "Pretty Penie" Marr was my great aunt and someone I always loved and admired growing up. She passed away peacefully after a long struggle with Alzheimer's on May 20, 2018. 

As the runs have gotten longer and harder, I've really enjoyed knowing I am running for an amazing cause. Established by the Marr family, the fund supports a visionary Alzheimer’s research initiative aimed at ultimately preventing the disease.

Today, more than 5 million Americans are courageously fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is also the sixth-leading cause of death in this country, but it’s the only cause in the top 10 that cannot be reversed or slowed.

But the Marr family—together with world-renowned researchers at the Brigham—are focused on finding a way to stop Alzheimer’s disease altogether. Backed by more than 30 years of research, Dr. Reisa Sperling is leading and pioneering innovative approaches to advance the prevention and treatment of this devastating disease. You can read more about the research here: bwhgiving.org/marr-fund.

In seven years, the Marr Fund team has already made a great impact on furthering Alzheimer’s prevention research, most notably raising over $1.3 million through the Maine Marathon event itself and serving as a catalyst for a separate $25 million gift from visionary philanthropists Andrew and Kate Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. 

Since the Marr Fund began in 2015 with about 75 friends and family racing together, it has now expanded to many more running in her honor during early October. It was so moving to to be the Marr Fund Maine Marathon relay team with my dad, aunt, and uncle as teammates all running together for Pretty Penie. I am happy to be involved with this foundation once again - the last few years I was always busy mid cross country season at Saint Mary's College Notre Dame. (Go Irish!)

I am so excited to be running the marathon in support of this fund. I really appreciate your support!!

❤, Maura