Help Jonathan raise money

Our Achievements!

1/16/25 8:50 AM: Within 24 hours we reached 100% of our first goal of $1,500!!!!

Looking For Advertising?

We are currently accepting donations to support our fundraiser in exchange for promotional opportunities. Your contribution will help us grow while offering you visibility and exposure. 

Bronze Tier ($50-$99):
Your business will be recognized and thanked on my fundraising page.

Silver Tier ($100-$199):
In addition to the Bronze Tier benefits, your business logo and a thank-you message will be featured in my next YouTube video.

Gold Tier ($200+):
Along with the Bronze and Silver Tier benefits, your business will receive a 15-30 second promotional spot in my next YouTube video, reaching a wider audience.

WATCH ME ON THIS JOURNEY! 

(Click the link!)

https://www.youtube.com/@johnnyruns

Why Alzheimer's Disease?

For those who know me well, you've probably heard stories of my "silly grandpa." He was everything a grandparent should be, and so much more. He was the one to teach you how to make armpit farts, the one to show you how to shave even before you had a single whisker, and, most importantly, the one to share valuable life lessons exactly when you needed them.

His name was John Ludlow Andrew.

Though he lived more than 800 miles away, the memories I have of him feel as though he was always just a stone's throw away, always present and always there for the family.

 Sadly, as he grew older, his cognitive health began to decline, and he was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As the disease took hold, it took away his ability to recall even the people closest to him, which caused him immense emotional distress. For his sake, I never had the chance to say goodbye.

Though endings like this are heartbreaking, I’ve learned that we must keep moving forward. “Keep on truckin’,” as a dear friend used to remind me. This mindset is exactly what the Alzheimer’s Association and I are embracing. In January of 2025, I ran my first half-marathon, and as I pushed through each mile, I reflected on my journey and the lessons my parents taught me through their example. What became clear is that serving others and giving back to the community is essential to creating the future I envision—a future where children, adults, and seniors are all connected, supported, and thriving.

That’s why I’m aiming to raise $1,500 for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pittsburgh Chapter. I’d love for you to join me in this cause. Every donation is deeply appreciated, no matter the size. As they say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” If you only have a dollar to spare, know that it will make a difference as others join in as well. Together, we can create a future with more hope and less disease.

How Will Your Donation Make An Impact?

The Alzheimer’s Association is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, while providing support to those affected. They fund cutting-edge research to uncover new treatments and ultimately a cure, all while offering critical resources for families and caregivers navigating the challenges of the disease. Through their 24/7 helpline, educational programs, and support groups, the Association helps millions of individuals and families cope with the emotional, financial, and physical toll of Alzheimer’s. By donating to the Alzheimer’s Association, you are helping fund life-changing research, offering hope to families, and supporting vital programs that improve the lives of those affected by this devastating disease. Your contribution can make a direct impact in the fight against Alzheimer's, moving us one step closer to a world without it.

I don't have a way to donate monetarily, what can I do?

The best thing you can do is to share this to a friend, family, or coworkers. My social and community circle is only so large so any contribution to make this circle larger will go a long way. You can also watch me on our journey by going to the  Youtube channel linked at the top of this page!! 

**Please share, like, and subscribe! You can set up notifications to be alerted when I make a new video!**

How can I prevent Alzheimer's Disease?

Unfortunately, there are no guaranteed ways to prevent Alzheimer's disease as we are still working to understand it better each day. However, there is much in YOUR control! Coincidentally, many of the top 10 leading causes of death (Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc) within the United States share many lifestyle choices that help reduce you and your family members chances of obtaining Alzheimers as well. 

Exercise: The CDC recommends for adults to participate in 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a week, and 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity. It is also recommended to pair this with 2 days of strength training. This not only helps reduce your chances of many leading causes of death but will help improve brain health, reduce risk of Alzheimer's by up to 50%, and improve benefits for those suffering from this disease or dementia.

Nutrition: Poor nutrition has been shown to contribute to tissue injury within the brain, leading to conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Currently much research is finding strong correlations between diet and lifestyle to Alzheimer's. A nutritional invervention may be a great approach to help reduce the onset and development of this disease. The best thing you can do behaviorally is to simply introduce more nutritious food such as

1. Berries

2. Leafy green vegtables

3. Whole grains

4. Extra Virgin olive oil

5. Beans

6. Nuts

These are just a few common recommendations but my professional opinion would be a whole foods plant based diet. 

Here is a link for more information on this lifestyle:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/plant-based-diet-guide#overview

Stay mentally and socially active: Both of these behaviors are known to be increased risk factors. Not only will this improve your current cognitive ability, social behavior, and chances of obtaining this disease but also improve your overall quality of life.

Sleep: A common misconception that on average you need 8 hours of sleep to obtain proper rest, but in reality the average person needs 8 or more hours of sleep each night.

Smoking: Smoking and second hand smoke has also been shown to be a significant risk factor. It was found that compared to "never smokers" that current smokers are 30% more likely to develop dementia and 40% more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Alchohol: Heavy drinking can damage the brain, shrinking areas involved in memory and affecting the brain's ability to transmit messages. Alcohol can also lead to a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) which can cause brain damage. This is known as Korsakoff syndrome which is similar to Alzheimer's disease.

Join me today and make your contribution! Every dollar counts. Thank you for your support.

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https://runkeeper.com/user/3679903026/profile

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TAX ID NUMBER: 13-3039601