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Family’s tribute to 31-year-old who died of rare dementia

The Illingworth family on holiday in Thailand. (L to R) Susie, Gemma, Jess, Ben, Andrew
The Illingworth family on holiday in Thailand. (L to R) Susie, Gemma, Jess, Ben, Andrew
  • 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.
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