Team Advocate Spot-light - Carrie Salter Richardson & Hannah Richardson:
Alzheimer’s picked on the wrong family, this one fights back.
Carrie Salter Richardson, is a 38 year old single mom with 3 children challenged by a diagnosis of Early Onset Familial Alzheimer's. She always pushes herself out of her comfort zone and can be seen in newspapers, television, and in large speaking events where she tells the world about her experience as a research participant in clinical trials. Her well-spoken positive attitude, and progress driven actions are key to inspiring others to get involved in research as well. Alzheimer's Disease is very often mistaken as a disease which occurs to elderly people. Not only are there early onset forms striking young adults, but there are also pediatric forms impacting children as well. Carrie’s father, 3 uncles, and a cousin had all lost their battles with the same disease between the ages of 37 and 44, but she and her brother are fiercely motivated to break the chains of the past.
Carries daughter Hannah has grown up keenly aware of the impact Alzheimer’s can have on a family. Although she has only just begun her senior year of high school, she has already entered the arena of advocacy. Driven by her mission to cure Alzheimer’s, Hannah is not one to waste time. She has recently earned the honor of “Chemistry Student of the Year”, and has set her sights even higher toward a degree in Neuro Science or Genetic Research.
Together they inspire people to take part in clinical trials and other research studies which will deepen our understanding of these diseases and lead to finding the cures we seek. Further Hannah's actions motivate young people to pursue degrees in the sciences which will lead to saving lives.
Together as a family they will make the journey around the world to the island of Sicily where they will make the journey down the ancient pilgrimage route called Magna Via Francigena. Each step of the way they will be sharing their experience with Alzheimer's with others on the Pilgrimage to Enlightenment.
