On October 3, for the seventh year in a row, the Marr Fund Team will participate in the Maine Marathon to support the Josephine and John Marr Alzheimer's Research Fund at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Though I have run a six or nine-mile relay leg every year thus far, I will be running a virtual leg this year because I am currently at college in St. Louis. 

Despite not being in Maine, I am excited to take part in this fundraiser once again because the money that we have raised through these annual marathons has already made a great impact in prevention research for Alzheimer's, a disease that affects more than 5 million Americans and that my grandmother, Josephine Marr, fought for nearly a decade. 

The Marr Fund's Maine Marathon campaign supports the work of world-renowned researchers at the Brigham, including Dr. Reisa Sperling. Backed by more than 30 years of research, Dr. Sperling is currently leading and pioneering innovative approaches to advance the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. You can read more about the research here: bwhgiving.org/marr-fund.

In seven years, the Marr Fund team has raised over $1.3 million through the Maine Marathon and served as a catalyst for a separate $25 million gift from visionary philanthropists Andrew and Kate Davis and the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund. 

Any donation to support my run and further this fight to prevent Alzheimer's is greatly appreciated. Together we can make a difference—now and for future generations.