Fifteen years ago, the importance of medical research was abstract for one family – until it became deeply personal. That changed thirteen years ago, when they welcomed her baby daughter, Sadie.

Dawn rises each morning to welcome her third graders into her Iowa public school classroom.

Zahydie is a licensed psychologist, advocate, and caregiver to her husband, Pako, who was diagnosed with Young-Onset Familial Alzheimer’s Disease at just 46 years old. 

Ernie lives in constant fear of what’s coming next after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.