Inspirational Marathon Endeavour by PJ Lane To Support Dementia Research
PJ Lane, the son of television legend Don Lane, is gearing up to participate in this Sunday’s Sydney Marathon. This effort is not just a personal milestone for him but also a noble cause in support of the groundbreaking dementia research conducted by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).
Personal Ties to the Cause
Losing his father to dementia at a tender age of 24 was a heart-wrenching experience for PJ. Since 2012, when he took on the role of Ambassador for CHeBA, he has been tirelessly striving to deepen the world’s understanding of Alzheimer’s and other related dementias. Research suggests that these conditions are influenced by genetics and lifestyle choices.
Highlighting World Alzheimer’s Month
September serves as a global beacon for Alzheimer’s awareness. Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has unveiled this year’s theme, emphasizing the importance of risk reduction as a pivotal strategy to counter, postpone, or even prevent dementia’s onset.
Understanding the Risk Factors
Research shines light on 12 modifiable risk factors that play a significant role in determining dementia susceptibility. A sedentary lifestyle tops the list. Other risks within an individual’s control range from smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and limited social interaction to health conditions like diabetes, hearing loss, and hypertension. Governments, on the other hand, are entrusted with addressing concerns such as air pollution and ensuring access to early education. According to ADI, addressing these 12 factors could potentially reduce or delay up to 40% of predicted dementia cases.
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PJ, leveraging his experience as an ex-professional basketball player and currently delving into a Masters of High Performance Sport, highlights the pressing need for awareness. “I’ve often questioned the genetic component of the disease,” he states, further adding, “Although we can’t change our genes or stop ageing, there are fundamental changes all of us can make to reduce our own risk – and remaining active throughout our lives is important.”
In a demonstration of commitment, PJ has been pushing his limits by running an impressive 7 hours weekly, all leading up to the marathon on 17th September.
Words of Encouragement and Dedication
CHeBA’s esteemed Co-Directors, Professor Henry Brodaty and Professor Perminder Sachdev, lauded PJ for his unwavering dedication to promoting awareness on healthy brain ageing and his relentless fundraising efforts for research.
With dementia affecting over 400,000 Australians and approximately 55 million individuals globally, the urgency for progressive research has never been more palpable. “Research is the linchpin to dissect these risk factors, tailor interventions, and pave the way for a dementia-free future,” PJ earnestly shares.
He remains hopeful and inspired, expressing, “It’s a privilege to work with the team at CHeBA. With the brilliant scientific minds of Henry Brodaty and Perminder Sachdev leading the way to research healthier brain ageing, it has been a wonderful relationship and a Centre I’m extremely proud to support.”
Support the Cause:
To contribute to PJ’s cause, visit here.
For more information on CHeBA, the pinnacle of research at UNSW Sydney, visit their official website.
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