By Josephine Cioffero
A New Routine
Routine exercise. A strict diet. A positive mindset.
Since being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 2019, Dan Jaworski has long been known in the Orlando Alzheimer’s community for his active lifestyle and head-on approach to the disease. He even competed in the IRONMAN Kona World Championship in 2022, where he raised funds for the Alzheimer’s Association and dedicated each mile to someone who made an impact on his journey. His wife, Julie, has been just as dedicated to combating the disease, practicing a similar lifestyle and hosting other fundraisers in honor of her husband.
Now Dan’s added a new item to his routine: enrollment in a clinical trial for treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease, including MCI or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Though he’s only on the eighth month of an 18-month trial, Dan said he’s “doing pretty good. All things considered, [I’m] kind of just grinding away.”
The outcomes of the trial are still being studied, but he and Julie are choosing to focus on what they can do as a team to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
“When you’ve got someone battling that is super positive,” Julie said, “it’s a lot easier to be super positive.”
“A Huge Tribe”
As a testament to their years of service as Alzheimer’s Association volunteers, fundraisers and advocates, Dan and Julie will be recognized as this year’s honorees of Orlando’s Purple Soirée gala.
Though they wouldn’t describe themselves as “gala people,” the couple is looking forward to celebrating the night with the people who matter to them most: friends and family.
“We just have so many friends coming,” Dan said.
“We have a huge tribe,” Julie added. “I think I’m just looking forward to a really good party.”
The Jaworskis, however, believe this honor goes beyond their personal fight. It’s about the progress they’ve made in educating the community about the reality of this disease.
“We have tried to put a face to Alzheimer’s, that it’s not just an elderly people disease,” Julie said. “We are trying to really lead the way to get attention to the disease so that we get a lot more research and funding to help us get this cure.”
“It’s not just for grandma and grandpa,” Dan said.
Going Forward
The Purple Soirée is only the start of the Jaworskis’ busy year: In May, Julie will run a half marathon as her Do What You Love to End ALZ fundraiser. The two will then travel to Washington, D.C. in June for the Alzheimer’s Forum, a nationwide advocacy event, to call for congressional support of the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act.
“We say yes to everything because we’re highly invested,” Dan said. “My goal is this doesn’t get to my kids or my grandkids. That’s the bottom line for me.”
The Purple Soirée will be April 11 at the Aloft Orlando. Attendees will enjoy a cocktail reception, an exciting auction, live entertainment, inspiring speakers and more. To learn more about tickets and sponsorships, visit alzpurplesoiree.org.
Discover more from Alz MindFL
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
