I am running the Surftown Half Marathon in Westerly, RI on Sunday, September 18th in memory of my father-in-law, Frederick C. Maynard, Jr. Pop Pop, as I knew him, was an accomplished, caring and dedicated person in every aspect of his life - a true gentleman who was taken far too soon.

Pop Pop experienced a condition known as Lewy body dementia (LBD). LBD is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease, causing a progressive decline in mental abilities. He was one of the first patients in the U.S. diagnosed with LBD 15 years ago. Since then, much progress has been made in recognizing symptoms and diagnosing patients. However, there is still a very long way to go in generating awareness of LBD and providing patients and their caregivers with better support and treatment options.

I am very excited about running my first half marathon. During my training, I have been thinking of Pop Pop often and can't wait to be running on Sunday in his memory. A friend of mine's Dad was also diagnosed with LBD recently. I will be thinking of him, too.

Please consider supporting my efforts by making a donation to the The Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA). LBDA is the leading organization in the United States that provides comprehensive information, education and support for the 1.3 million people afflicted by Lewy body dementias. You can learn more about it at http://www.lbda.org. Any amount that you can contribute is greatly appreciated. Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure.

Many thanks for your support -- and please forward this to anyone who you think might also want to donate. On the road to helping those affected by LBD, Caroline