Walk with Andres:
1 million miles together
A hike for families living with familial Alzheimer's disease
Andres and his two girls.
Meet Andres
Andres is a husband, a father of two daughters, and a Marine veteran. His family comes from Los Altos de Jalisco, Mexico, and carries the PSEN1 Jalisco mutation, a genetic mutation that causes familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). It has touched many generations of his family.
For years his family did not know what was happening. Finally, while Andres was stationed in Hawaii with the Marine Corps, his sister found a research article about the mutation. They began tracing their family's history backward, which led him into genetic testing, research, and advocacy on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Living with the mutation
Andres puts it this way: "If you are a carrier of the genetic mutation, then you have never had a chance to live without Alzheimer's." So he chooses to live well with it. He learns new things, grows and cooks his own food, spends time with his family, and looks for what brings him joy and purpose.
His daughters, Alexis and Adelyn, are at the center of that. He says that having someone more important than yourself "releases you. It makes you free, because it's not about you, it's about them and their future."
He also keeps a saying close: "If life throws you a shadow, look the other way and find some sun."
Why Andres is hiking
On November 4, 2026, Andres sets out to hike Machu Picchu and Patagonia.
Andres and his wife on his first journey in Machu Pichu in 2020.
This hike is the start of what Andres calls phase 1 of his journey. He chose Machu Picchu and Patagonia because they are amazing places that feel out of this world, and because seeing the world is part of his mission of living well with a genetic mutation that will cause early-onset Alzheimer's. He hopes to see the stars.
For Andres, living well comes down to this: "Taking control of what I can control, and letting go of what I cannot." The mutation is part of his story, but he does not let it take over. He decides where his energy goes, learns his limits, and looks after his mental health. Life is complicated and messy and can weigh a person down, and being outside is one way to unplug, disconnect, and let some of that go. It is a reminder that the path ahead is still his to choose. He hopes people watching will see that they can shape their own story too, and that mental health is something we can strengthen with help, resources, and practice.
Andres is not going alone. A close friend and fellow veteran is joining him, and for his friend the trip is a reset and something to look forward to, with a focus on mental health and stepping away from everyday worries at home. Having a friend to lean on and give honest feedback is a big part of it. They expect a few curves and hiccups along the way, but they know the goal is still within reach, and they plan to stay positive and keep going.
He is making this trip to show what living with an FAD mutation can look like: adventure, purpose, and community. He will share videos along the way so you can follow him.
Goal: 1 million miles
Andres' goal is for this community to travel 1 million miles together. Every mile counts, from a walk around the block to a trip across the world. Share your location and log your miles in the Youngtimers Strava club, and let's get to 1 million miles around the world.
Families in Mexico
When Andres learned about his family's mutation, he realized that if he had been in the dark in the U.S., families in Mexico were likely even further from information. He started a Facebook community so families in both countries could learn what the mutation is, how to get tested, and where to find doctors and research.
Many families in small towns face real barriers to care, including long distances to specialists and the cost of time away from work. This hike is Andres' way of reaching more of them, and of letting families who share this mutation know they are not alone.
The campaign's Spanish name, Caminando Juntos, means walking together.
Support Andres’ mission:
Donate to Youngtimers
Every gift made through this page goes to Youngtimers, the only nonprofit in the U.S. solely dedicated to those affected by FAD.
Your gift funds free support groups, workshops, plain-language guides, and advocacy. It also helps Youngtimers reach communities that have had the hardest time finding help, including through our Spanish-language site, now in development.
Andres says Youngtimers gives people a first-hand view of this disease from others who understand it, the right information and connections to take control of their lives, and an open door to get as involved as they want.
No one should have to face FAD alone or in the dark. When you give, you help families find their footing, look after their mental health, and choose the path they want to walk.
Follow along
Track Andres' route on AllTrails and follow his updates on Facebook.
Share this page, and tag your own walks and hikes with [hashtag].
Youngtimers is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law. EIN 85-2782466.