Event helps those with Alzheimer’s

The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event to raise funds to fuel the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. On the summer solstice, June 21, teams around the world will come together to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer’s with a day of activity. 

On The Longest Day, participants will complete approximately 16 hours of activity ranging from running, cooking and knitting to playing cards. Participants in The Longest Day are joining a global conversation about Alzheimer’s disease, the brain and other dementias as part of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June.

I watched Alzheimer’s disease claim the lives of my mother and three aunts. To honor and celebrate these women who mean so much to me, my five sisters and I have formed The Longest Day team “907 Bellas.” We are raising funds while planning to do some of the things our mother and aunts enjoyed doing, including cooking, gardening and dancing.

Worldwide, there are at least 44 million people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and it is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 6,400 people in Alaska, and this number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by the year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report. 

I will be participating in The Longest Day in Soldotna, but keep in mind that individuals and teams can participate in this day activity from the location of their choosing. I’m inviting Alaskans to join this exciting event to help support those living with Alzheimer’s disease.

To join a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/alaska.      

Cindy Harris, team captain

Soldotna