The FTD Brothers Raise Awareness for Dementia at London Marathon, 2026

Every year, thousands take on the London Marathon. This year, brothers Jordan and Cian Adams did more than just ruin the race! Known as the FTD Brothers, the pair ran to raise awareness and funds for dementia research, with Jordan completing the marathon carrying a 25kg fridge on his back!

Jordan and Cian Adams are two of three siblings who grew up in Redditch, Worcestershire, with their parents, Geraldine and Glenn, and their older sister, Kennedy. Their childhood was filled with warmth and celebration, shaped in large part by their mother’s vibrant personality. Geraldine was the heart of the family—full of life, generous, and endlessly sociable.

At first, the signs were subtle. Geraldine became quieter, less outgoing. Her mood shifted, and her memory began to falter.

Said Jordan:

When you have such a big character like that as one of your parents, it doesn’t take long to notice subtle but significant changes in their character or behavior. and when we noticed mum becoming less & less outgoing, her mood lowering as well as numerous lapses in her memory, we knew something wasn’t quite right and as time wore on mum's symptoms’ worsened. It was in this period that our dad chose to seek help medical help get to the root of what was causing these changes. (theftdbrothers.com)

On 23 June 2010, Geraldine was diagnosed with early-onset frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive and terminal condition. That same day, her children learned that their mother’s health would steadily decline over the next 6 to 10 years. What they did not yet know was that the condition was hereditary, giving each of them a 50 percent chance of developing the same disease.

At the time, Kennedy was 17, Jordan 15, and Cian just 9 years old.

It was after their mother’s death in March 2016 that Kennedy decided she wanted to know if she, too, would inherit the disease, so she arranged a visit to Dublin Neurological Institute to see Professor Tim Lynch, the man who had researched and explored the familial FTD through the case study of Geraldine’s cousins, a 44-year-old Irish farmer.

Jordan explains:

Professor Lynch was able to explain in detail how and why FTD has affected our family through a genetic fault/mutation of the MAPT gene and during the visit Kennedy took part in various research studies before being referred for Genetic Testing back at the QE in Birmingham. Kennedy then followed a process of genetic counselling, preparing for her eventual test result in the Spring of 2018 revealing she had inherited the normal copy of the gene from our Father and that she would not have to live with the same Dementia as Mum. (theftdbrothers.com)

Kennedy’s bravery in seeking clarity for her future not only enabled Kennedy to move on with her life and start a family of her own but also gave Jordan the motivation to follow suit and go through the same genetic testing, receiving his result in September 2018 – discovering that he was a carrier of the faulty copy, and he would have to live with the same FTD as Gerladine. Jordan often describes his diagnosis as a ‘license to live’ and, although, his life is certain to be much shorter than most, he has been able to make life choices and decisions for his future to stop this familial Dementia being passed on any further.

In February 2023, Cian too took the brave decision to get his genetic test result, and sadly, he discovered he is a carrier of the faulty copy, meaning both brothers will have to live with FTD in their lifetime, most likely becoming symptomatic in their early 40s and losing their lives within 10 years of diagnosis.

Rather than turning away from this reality, though, they have chosen to confront it head-on through public campaigns and endurance challenges. including running a virtual marathon during lockdown, the official London Marathon twice, 7 marathons in 7 days, where Jordan completed 26.2 miles every day for a week, starting in their hometown of Redditch and most recently the 2026 London Marathon with Jordan carrying a 25kg fridge on his back. The fridge served as a physical representation of an invisible burden—the weight of a disease that affects not only those diagnosed, but entire families. The effort has inspired thousands to learn more and contribute.

Jordan and Cian Adams https://theftdbrothers.com/

So far, the brothers have raised nearly £500,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK and their work continues from April 27th to May 28th, 2026. The brothers will attempt 33 Marathons in 33 Days.

Said Jordan: "We are taking things back to where it all started, to honour our 12 Irish relatives and to bring hope to those living with dementia and their families all over the Emerald Isle and beyond, raising money for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland."

To donate to support this incredible duo, go to: theftdbrothers.com/pages/donate

Follow their progress on Instagram: www.instagram.com/theftdbrothers