People across the globe will join together to honor those facing Alzheimer's disease by participating in The Longest Day® on Saturday, June 21, 2014. The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset event to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Teams will complete a day filled with activity to raise funds and awareness for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Held annually on the summer solstice, The Longest Day teams pledge to be active for 16 hours,
symbolizing the seemingly endless journey so many facing Alzheimer’s disease are asked to endure.
Participants choose any activity ranging from running or cooking, to knitting or playing bridge, being active
all day, trading off in a relay style, or with each member doing just an hour to achieve the 16 hour goal.
“’The Longest Day’ is an opportunity to show those facing Alzheimer's disease that they are not alone,”
shared Dan Lawler, Desert Southwest Chapter’s Development Director. “It is wonderful to see the range
of activities, commitment and dedication of individuals in our communities. We have teams hiking the
Grand Canyon, biking from Tucson to Payson and playing bridge all day. The creativity and diversity of
these participants, all to support individuals facing Alzheimer’s, is truly heartening.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. More than five
million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including over 145,000 across our Chapter, and this number
is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association®
2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.
To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit www.alz.org/tld or www.facebook.com/fightalz.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest
Chapter at www.alz.org/dsw.
About the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association® is the only national health and social service organization dedicated to
research, and to providing support and assistance to people with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and
caregivers. Founded in 1980, the association works through a network of more than 80 chapters across
the country.
The Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter provides programs and services to tens of
thousands of families including Helpline – a 24/7 assistance line, MedicAlert®+Safe Return®, Family Care
Consultation, Support Groups, Education, Early Stage Programming and Legislative Advocacy.
Visiting Angels in Henderson, NV will be sponsoring and participating in this years event. You can contact them for more information at 702-407-1100.
