UK-famous Redditch-born runners, Jordan and Cian Adams will be completing a lap of NI’s ecclesiastical capital this Saturday as part of a 32-county challenge to raise money and awareness for dementia.
Brothers Jordan and Cian Adams – who are both a risk of developing dementia in their 40s – have become internet sensations after running the London Marathon with a hefty 25kg fridge strapped to their backs.
It all started in 2010, when their “loving, generous and vivacious” Irish-born mum Geraldine was diagnosed with ‘Early-Onset’ Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).
In the lead up to her diagnosis the family had marked notable changes in Geraldine’s behaviour. She had become “less and less outgoing”, her mood was “lowering” and they noticed “numerous” lapses in her memory.
Their dad, Glenn had the devastating responsibility of delivering the news to Geraldine. When the shock diagnosis came in, he informed her that she was terminally ill and that her health was going to continue to deteriorate over a six to ten year period.
But there was more to it than that. Glenn also knew that the diagnosis was hereditary. It came with a 50% chance that each of the couple’s three children would also carry the gene. He didn’t share the news at that time with his children but they say they have “never blamed him”.
Together Glenn, Jordan, Cian and sister Kennedy diligently cared for their beloved mother in her remaining years. They watched her lose her driving licence, become increasingly confused and become bed bound. They did all for her. They washed her, fed her and loved her endlessly.
Sadly, Geraldine passed away peacefully surrounded by her devoted family at the age of 52 on March 14, 2016.
Following her death, Kennedy had “lit up a burning desire” to know whether she would inherit the condition. She reached out to her mum’s cousin Mary and arranged a visit to Dublin Neurological Institute to see Professor Tim Lynch – who had researched and explored the familial FTD in their family through a case study of one of Geraldine’s cousins, a 44-year-old Irish farmer.
Geraldine Adams
Professor Lynch supported and advised the family and following a process of “genetic counselling” prepared Kennedy for her eventual test result in the Spring of 2018.
However, Kennedy had received a “normal” copy of the gene from Glenn and would not suffer the same diagnosis as her mum.
Just a few short months later, Jordan felt compelled to follow suit. He underwent the same testing as Kennedy.
Sadly Jordan received a different result. He did carry the gene.
However, he regards his result as a “license to live” and although his life is certain to be much shorter than most, he has been able to make life choices and decisions for his future to stop this familial Dementia being passed on any further.
Jordan has become a passionate community speaker and fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Research UK in the years that followed. He has completed a virtual marathon during lockdown and the official London Marathon thrice. His second was part of huge challenge of 7 marathons in 7 days where he completed 26.2 miles every day for a week starting in their hometown of Redditch before navigating the grand union canal from Birmingham to London, finishing with the 2022 London Marathon.
In February 2023 Cian joined his siblings and made the brave decision to get his genetic test result and sadly, it was discovered he too is a carrier of the faulty copy.
The brothers now know their positive FTD results mean they will most likely become symptomatic in their early 40s and will lose their lives within ten years of diagnosis.
Now known as The FTD Brothers the pair are on a mission to “cure dementia” before it “takes their lives”. They have set a goal of £1,000,000 in their mum’s memory and they won’t stop until they reach it.
As part of their most recent awareness and fundraising campaign they have committed to running a marathon in all 32 counties of Ireland – a poignant tribute to their mother’s proud heritage.
And on Saturday May 2, they will make their rounds in the glorious ecclesiastical capital, Armagh.
Starting their marathon, the pair will leave at 10am from The Market Place Theatre.
Their “two brothers, one fridge” London Marathon effort helped them surpass £500,000 and with their ‘Irish Challenge’ donations flying in… continues to climb.
Every single penny raised through their efforts will be put towards leading ground-breaking research into dementia.
It would be fantastic to see the Armagh community turn out in avid support of these two very brave and inspirational young men. Wear purple in honour of Dementia awareness, put your hands in your pockets and let’s show Jordan and Cian that Co Armagh cares!
Make a donation to Jordan and Cian’s Irish Challenge here.
