2024 Maine Marathon with the Marr Fund Team

John Marr and his children launched the Josephine and John Marr Alzheimer’s Research Fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) to fuel innovative research collaborations aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Named for John and his beloved wife, Josephine, the fund is inspired by Josephine’s courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease and the hope that new research will put an end to this devastating disease for future generations.

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 and her team are pioneering innovative approaches to advance the prevention and treatment of this devastating disease, including worldwide prevention clinical trials.

In 10 years, the Marr Fund team has already made a great impact on furthering Alzheimer’s prevention research, most notably raising over $2 million through the Maine Marathon event itself and catalyzing millions in additional support.

Thank you for joining us in this fight to prevent Alzheimer’s. Together, we can make a difference—now and for future generations.

Testimonials

"Being a part of a community that cares deeply and that is willing to take action is powerful. It is such an amazing experience to see the Marr family come together with extended family and friends to raise money running for a cause. To hear each year how the funds are directly driving innovation and critical research makes the experience a must for me." Jolie Ritzo, 2022-2023 teammate

"When we heard about the Marr Fund and having seen the devastating long-term effects that Alzheimer’s disease has on both the patient and their families, we felt a strong need to support the fundraising efforts. I have known Josephine and John Marr and their family for over 45 years and have seen the effects that this disease has had on their family. I have also seen their dedication to providing support through the Marr Fund for continued research of this disease. I wholeheartedly support their efforts, and my family and I will continue to contribute to the Marr Fund." Fred Forsley, 2022-2023 teammate

"I run for the Marr Fund Team because research is the only way we will prevent and cure Alzheimer’s disease. I run because I have witnessed how Alzheimer’s robs a family of the person we love and creates an unimaginable emotional toll on those left behind. I run so that my parents and my generation can have proven treatment options to halt the disease process and prevent it before there are clinical symptoms. I run because the Brigham’s research team is a worldwide leader in this space, they are collaborative, and they are directing the international prevention trials. I run because the research is promising, the future has truly never been brighter, and I must be part of the solution." Ginny Fuller Marinaro, 2018-2023 teammate

"I run each year so that my grandmother, Penie, and her fight with Alzheimer's isn't forgotten. Unfortunately, Alzheimer's leaves no survivors who can serve as advocates. There are courageous folks who have beat cancer and other terrible diseases who live to tell their battle story and inspire others to help find a cure. That isn't the case with Alzheimer's. To find a cure, it's important for those of us who have seen how terrible this disease is secondhand to carry the torch. We run and raise money each year to help eradicate Alzheimer's, so that other people and their families don't have to go through the series of events that follow an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Each Maine Marathon has been an opportunity to reconnect with memories of my grandmother before Alzheimer's and share in those memories with those who knew her best, as well as those who never met her but who now carry the torch with us." Matt Marr, 2015-2021 and 2023 teammate

"I run the first leg of the relay team 'Time Is Now' every year to raise money for the Josephine and John Marr Alzheimer’s research fund at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. My Dad, John Marr, chose to create this fund to support the terrific work of Dr. Dennis Selkoe and Dr. Reisa Sperling. These two doctors and their tremendous teams have proven to us that their work is critical in the development of treatment and eventually a cure to this horrible disease that took the lives of both my grandmother and mother. The goal of researching younger people has been achieved with the AHEAD study that includes people 55-65 years of age. We are very proud and excited that the work we helped fund led to the NIH funding of this trial. We began running the marathon in 2015 as a way to raise more money but also to raise awareness of the disease and to include other friends and family members in our pursuit of a cure. Now, 10 years later, it has become an annual event which we all look forward to, as it is so much fun and brings together so many loved ones to run a relay [or a] half or full marathon and then enjoy a wonderful meal and great celebration at my parents' home." Abby Psyhogeos, 2015-2023 teammate

If you have questions or want to learn more, please contact Ali Wheeler at team@bwh.harvard.edu or 857 505 1225.