Debbie Yobs
President and Executive Director
Morris Plains, New Jersey
- TOLL-FREE HELPLINE: 1-800-659-1991
- CONTACT US
- Supporting Families Affected by Prion Disease
This study will assess the use of simple, rapid, specific and highly sensitive assays to detect blood-borne prions. Early detection of prion disease will provide a biomarker for prognostication and development of therapeutic trials.
Dr. Mathiason is Associate Professor of Pathobiology and Director of the Office of Vice President for Research (OVPR) Program for Research and Scholarly Excellence (PRSE)- Infectious Disease and Rapid Response Network. Dr. Mathiason’s research focuses on the role blood and maternal infections play in disease pathogenesis and transmission dynamics. Her laboratory combines use of native and rodent in vivo hosts with highly sensitive in vitro assays to assimilate an understanding of the biological mechanisms associated with covert transmission of infectious agents. The intent of these works is to provide basic science principles for continued efforts to mitigate infectious agents via preventative, therapeutic and vaccine therapies.
President and Executive Director
Morris Plains, New Jersey
Donald Friedman shares the story of caring for his sister, Phyllis, in Still Phyllis: A Caregiver’s Memoir of Dementia and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
David Langan captured the CJD journey of his wife, Zyvonne, in All is Well: Living Through Losing One You Love.
Evelyn M. Kendall lost her life to CJD on August 2, 2019.
Evelyn’s family was the 2nd highest fundraising team nationally in 2020 and the top fundraising team for Strides for CJD – Arlington, TX in 2021.
Amy Collins lost her life to CJD on December 14, 2018.
The Collins Family was the 3rd highest fundraising team nationally in 2021, the 4th highest fundraising team nationally in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and the 2nd highest fundraising team nationally in 2025.
Jerry Yaffa lost his life to CJD on June 21, 2005.
The Yaffa Family was the 2nd highest fundraising team nationally in 2021 and the 3rd highest fundraising team nationally in 2022 and 2023, the 2nd highest fundraising team nationally in 2024, and the top fundraising team nationally in 2025.