Woman dies with dementia at just 31 after early warning signs missed
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Family’s tribute to 31-year-old who died of rare dementia
- Manchester woman Gemma Illingworth died at 31 from posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare form of dementia, after her early symptoms were dismissed.
- Her siblings, Ben and Jess Illingworth, along with her friend Ruth Pollitt, ran the London Marathon to raise money for dementia research and support in her memory.
- Ms Illingworth’s early symptoms, such as difficulties with vision, coordination, and time-telling, were initially dismissed as personality quirks.
- Her condition worsened during lockdown, leading to difficulties with work and eventually a diagnosis of PCA at age 28.
- The family aims to raise awareness and funds to support other families facing similar challenges.