Nina Carberry: Urges EU Action After Brothers' 33 Marathons
MEP Nina Carberry highlighted the story of Jordan and Cian Adams in the European Parliament, who are running 33 marathons in 33 days to raise funds and awareness for frontotemporal dementia. She pressed for policy change, calling for a European Action Plan for Brain Health and increased research funding.
Jordan and Cian Adams both carry the rare FTD gene that took their mother at 52 in 2016. They are refusing to let dementia have the final word by running 33 marathons in 33 days to raise awareness and funds for their foundation and the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland.
At MEP Nina Carberry's request, President Roberta Metsola has invited Jordan and Cian to the European Parliament later this year. Carberry used their testimony to underline the human impact of dementia and the urgency of a coordinated European response.
Carberry warned that one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime and argued that awareness must be matched by policy. She pointed to the EU beating cancer plan as an example of ambition and urged the Parliament to deliver a European Action Plan for Brain Health and increased research funding.
Brothers' story
Jordan and Cian Adams both carry the rare FTD gene that took their mother at 52 in 2016. They are refusing to let dementia have the final word by running 33 marathons in 33 days to raise awareness and funds for their foundation and the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland.
Parliamentary response
At MEP Nina Carberry's request, President Roberta Metsola has invited Jordan and Cian to the European Parliament later this year. Carberry used their testimony to underline the human impact of dementia and the urgency of a coordinated European response.
Policy demands and consequences
Carberry warned that one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime and argued that awareness must be matched by policy. She pointed to the EU beating cancer plan as an example of ambition and urged the Parliament to deliver a European Action Plan for Brain Health and increased research funding.
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Transcript
Heroic, brave, inspiring. Those are just some of the words used to describe Jordan and Kean Adams, the FTD brothers, both carrying the rare FTD gene which sadly took their mother from them at the age of 52 in 2016. But today they are refusing to let dementia have the final word. They are running 33 marathons in 33 days, raising awareness and funds for their foundation and the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. And their message is clear. Awareness matters, but the next step must be policy change. One in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. And I'm delighted at my request. President Roberto Manzola has invited Jordan and Kean to the European Parliament later this year. But their courage must be matched by action. Last September, this Parliament called for the European Action Plan for Brain Health and a dedicated rising research funding. Europe has shown what ambition can achieve through the EU beating cancer plan. Now we need that same ambition for dementia. Thank you.