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Walk raises money toward finding cure for fatal brain disease

By Harry Funk staff Writer hfunk@thealmanac.Net 2 min read
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Helen Golden of Bethel Park lost her husband, Pat, to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

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Denise Pleban-Oberst and friend walk around the track at the South Park Fairgrounds during Strides for CJD.

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Rachel Welty, CJD Foundation program specialist, lights a candle in honor of a person who passed away from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

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Michelle Golden makes announcements prior to the walk, as her sister, Shannon, listens.

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Harry Funk/The Almanac

Helen Golden, center, joins other Strides for CJD participants in walking around the track at South Park Fairgrounds.

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A table at the event honors those who lost their lives to Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseas.

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Melissa Helfer and Porter are ready to walk during Strides for CJD.

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Participants gather prior to starting the walk.

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Plenty of canine friends went along for the walk.

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From left, Michelle, Shannon and Helen Golden make announcements prior to the walking portion of the event.

Members of Pat Golden’s family continue to honor him in a major way.

For the past four years, the wife and daughters of the late Bethel Park resident have organized a benefit event called Strides for CJD – Pittsburgh to promote awareness of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which caused Pat’s death at age 57 in 2016.

Following a virtual version of the fundraiser in 2020, Strides for CJD returned to the South Park Fairgrounds Oct. 9, with dozens of people walking or running in support of those who have lost loved ones to the fatal disease.

“We are so thankful to have all of you here with us today to support one another, to raise awareness, and obviously, we hope one day there will be a treatment and a cure for CJD,” Pat’s daughter Michelle said in making opening announcements.

Her mother, Helen, and sister, Shannon, joined her in welcoming participants, thanking volunteers and conducting a remembrance.

Placed on a table were the names of area residents afflicted with CJD, many accompanied by photographs, and candles that were lit by family members.

Nearly $23,000 has been raised through the event for the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Inc.

The Akron, Ohio-based nonprofit offers support for families and education for professionals while raising awareness and funding medical research with regard to the invariably fatal brain disorder.

For more information, visit cjdfoundation.org.

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