Two brothers who have run a marathon a day for a month in aid of dementia research will cross the finish line in Dublin today.
Jordan and Cian Adams, who have both been diagnosed with the faulty MAPT gene that leads to Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), lost their mother to the same disease at just 52.
The pair, known as The FTD Brothers, launched a campaign to raise awareness of all forms of dementia in 2018 and have since raised over £1.5m in vital research funds through a series of endurance challenges, including multiple London Marathons.
Now, the brothers are set to complete their toughest mission to date – running 32 marathons across the 32 counties of Ireland in just 32 days, paying homage to their mother’s Irish background.
Family history of dementia
Jordan and Cian, aged 31 and 25, are two of three siblings who grew up in the English town of Redditch in Worcestershire with their older sister, Kennedy, and shared a happy home with their parents Glenn and Geraldine.
On June 23, 2010, Jordan learned that his mother had been diagnosed with FTD at just 15 years of age. Kennedy was 17 and Cian was just nine years old.
In the years that followed, they cared for their mother before she passed away in March of 2016.
Sadly, the siblings have also lost 12 Irish relatives to the same condition, including their grandmother and aunt.
Following her mother’s passing, Kennedy learned, with the support of Professor Tim Lynch from the Dublin Neurological Institute, that she had inherited the normal copy of the MAPT gene from her dad and would not live with FTD.
However, in 2018, Jordan received the news that he was a carrier of the faulty MAPT, meaning there is a high chance he would develop the same form of dementia in his early 40s. In February 2023, Cian also chose to be tested and discovered that he too is a carrier.
Licence to live
When the brothers received their diagnoses, it could have been the end of hope. Instead, it gave them purpose, with Jordan describing the diagnosis as a “licence to live”.
The pair chose to raise awareness and change what the future looks like for families affected by dementia and formerly came together as The FTD Brothers in 2024.
That year alone, through endurance challenges, storytelling, and community support, they raised over £250,000 for dementia research, bringing them closer to their lifetime mission of raising £1 million in funds.
Today, on the last day of their journey across Ireland, their fundraising stands at over £1.5m. Half of the funds will go to Alzheimer’s Ireland and the other 50% will support the not-for-profit work of the FTD Brothers Foundation.
Commenting on surpassing their fundraising target, Jordan said: “Back in 2023 we set a target to raise £1 million before dementia took our lives, but we honestly thought it would take a lifetime to achieve it.
“We want to thank everyone in Redditch, where it all started, those who have engaged in our online community and now supported our latest campaign in Ireland. But more than the money, we are proud to have inspired millions of people, and this is just the start.”
Cian who is supporting Jordan throughout his current challenge as his physio, added, “We are so proud, as a family, to have achieved [our fundraising target] already, quicker than we could ever have imagined. Clearly the devastation of a dementia diagnosis resonates with so many.
“We are extremely grateful to every single person who has engaged with this campaign. Whether that be through a donation, interacting with posts, or engaging with us in London or Ireland.”
Royal support
The FTD Brothers began their journey in County Antrim on April 27 before making their way down south, running 26.2 miles each day.
Thousands of people, including care home and hospital staff have lined the streets in support of Jordan and Cian.
The Prince of Wales praised the brothers in a letter they received on day 14.
Speaking to the BBC, Jordan said "one thing that we did have a laugh... about is the fact that we're big Birmingham City fans".
"So, to have that off a Villa fan, we'll let him off.
"But, no, it was an absolute pleasure to receive that from Prince William and we're very grateful for his support."