Overview

• Gemma Illingworth, from Manchester, was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare form of dementia, in November 2021 at the age of 28.
• PCA progressively affected Gemma’s ability to see, speak, walk, and perform daily tasks, leading to her death at home on November 27, 2024, at age 31.
• Her siblings, Ben and Jess, along with her close friend Ruth Pollitt, ran the London Marathon on April 27, 2025, raising over £19,000 for Rare Dementia Support and the National Brain Appeal.
• The family had previously organized a sponsored walk in June 2023, raising a total of £28,000 to support research and services for families affected by rare dementias.
• Gemma’s story highlights the challenges of early-onset dementia, with her family advocating for better awareness, early diagnosis, and support for affected families.