Advocating for Awareness
After Gemma’s death, her family decided they weren’t going to stay silent. Her brother and sister have been sharing her story publicly in hopes of raising awareness about young-onset dementia and PCA. They want people to understand that dementia isn’t just something that happens to grandparents. It can affect people in their twenties and thirties too, and the signs don’t always look like forgetfulness. They’ve spoken out in interviews, shared on social media, and connected with charities focused on brain health. By telling Gemma’s story, they hope more families will recognize the warning signs sooner. They’re also urging the medical community to take younger patients more seriously when they report vision or cognitive changes. Gemma may be gone, but her story is now helping others, one conversation at a time.