Posted September 14, 2017
In 2014, Jess and Bob Rice of Needham, Massachusetts, founded Jog Your Memory 5K Inc. An accredited 501(c)(3), JYM holds an annual USA Track and Field-certified 5K run and two-mile walk to support research aimed at ending Alzheimer’s disease. Jess’s mother, Carol Caley, was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2007, and the Caley and Rice families continue to be inspired by the strength Carol shows battling the disease.
On Sept. 17, the 4th Annual JYM event exceeded all expectations, attracting 560 participants of all ages and 325 donors, and raising more than $185,000, to bring the event’s four-year total to $442,000. Jess and Bob Rice credit this success to caring friends and runners from the Northeast and throughout the United States, and especially the town of Needham. The hard work of board members, including Jess’s father, Dick Caley, and Michelle Taranto, Michelle Schmidt and Harry Stants, has led this Needham-based race to become a community staple.
Part of the Needham Bank Race series, JYM is a fun family event that always keeps Alzheimer’s disease and hope for a cure at the forefront. In addition to funding research through CureAlz, JYM added a caregiver grant in 2016, giving families dealing with the disease access to geriatric consultation, respite care and temporary financial relief from lost incomes while caring for their loved ones. Today, 80 percent of the event’s proceeds are directed to CureAlz, and 20 percent go to supporting caregivers.
“Cure Alzheimer’s Fund supports the world’s top research teams who are pursuing bold breakthrough ideas that are getting results and making headlines,” said Jess. “Plus 100 percent of donations go directly to research, which is something we are proud to stand behind.”
