Kell's Ride for the Future.

Ita Buttrose (OBE, AO) with Greg & Pep, at the Dementia/Alzheimers Awareness Meeting in QLD Australia.

Turning the Lights on Young Onset Dementia. Worldwide.

I was diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia (YOD) in January 2016 at the age of 59.  They told me I have had if for a number of years but was misdiagnosed with having Depression back as far as 2009. (as happens so many times with this disease)

Initially it was thought I had Early Onset Alzheimers disease (EOA) due to a PET scan indication.
However, the recent diagnosis, advised I have Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) as result of more indepth assessments & MRI Scans  by the Brain Mind Centre, University of Sydney in February this year.

There is no cure for Dementia, it is a Terminal Disease, but I will fight this disease with everything I have.  There are some drugs that may slow it down for a short time, but won't stop if from robbing me of my life.  I am taking steps to keep my brain and body healthy by altering my diet and lifestyle as well as doing some Personal Challenges (this Ride is one)

I want to put a spotlight on this disease and raise awareness for Younger Onset Dementia because this is not a disease just for the very old. There are people as young as 29  with it and it is the 2nd Highest Killer in Australia & 3rd Highest in USA & NZ.
The Statistics are similar in many other Countries around the World.

But, unfortunately it doesn't get any Media attention and minimal funding from Government Sectors, Worldwide.
  
I am riding the Harley Davidson (kindly provided by Harley-Davidson) the length and breadth of Australia, the USA and NZ.  
I start my Australian ride on August 12th, 2017 in QLD

These funds you are helping me with, will go towards helping with the costs of the ride, namely: Accommodation  for the 9 weeks in Australia (the nights not already provided by Wyndham Hotel Group, DAE, Accor and Best Western), Fuel, the return Ferry Crossing to Tasmania, Meals,  Flights for my support team and Patches/Drink holders to raise funds for donations during my trip, with any surplus funds being donated to: Dementia Associations in Australia, USA & NZ, the Australian, USA & NZ Frontotemporal Dementia Associations, and Research into FTD at the Queensland Brain Institute and similar Institutes in USA & NZ.

Other ways you could help:  
Do you know anyone who can arrange -
accomodation in Regional Australia,
Donate Fuel,
provide Meals during my Ride,
cover the cost of the Tasmanian Ferry trip,
provide flights for my support persons,
manuafacture the Patches/drink holders?

I have been trying to talk to someone at Toyota or Ford, as I have to change both my Vehicles to a 4wd as my support vehicle (do you know someone in an Executive Position at either Toyota or Ford).

I personally want to thankyou, as just by reading this, you are helping me Turn the Lights On.

Any further assistance will be a Blessing.

Sincere Thanks & a Big Hug.
Kell. (Pep too.)