JUNE IS ALZHEIMER’S & BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month® — an opportunity to hold a conversation about the brain, and share the fact that Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are a major public health issue.
Alzheimer’s affects around 400,000 Texans, and over a million caregivers. They’re part of an estimated five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. The stark reality is that one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. This year, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $305 billion.
That’s why it’s so important to have conversations about the brain.
One way to do that is by participating in The Longest Day event. The Longest Day is held on the date of the summer solstice – this year, June 20th. It’s aimed at starting and continuing the conversation about brain health.
The Longest Day is the day of the year with the most sunlight. It’s the day we band together to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research and education by doing what we love.
What do you want do? Go to alz.org/thelongestday to sign up and select an activity. The Alzheimer’s Association can help suggest fun, easy activities that bring friends, family and colleagues together for a great cause. From bicycling to baking and card games to crafts, there’s an activity for everyone.
Each participant is asked to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association through their activity, to support the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to advance critically needed research and provide care and support to all those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Association staff and volunteers will be there every step of the way with tools, tips and coaching.
Why should you join The Longest Day? Join to support and honor a friend or loved one who has been impacted by Alzheimer’s, whether as a caregiver or someone living with the disease. Join to provide hope for tomorrow. Join to tell the world you won’t back down from Alzheimer’s.
There are as many reasons to join as there are activities to participate in. Only you know what drives you to take part in The Longest Day.
We’ve been living in an isolated world since mid-March, but there’s hope we’ll come out of it soon.
Caregivers and those with dementia have no such hope. Their isolated world grows smaller every day.
Come join us this month and shine your light on Alzheimer’s.
And just a reminder – you can get information about the Association’s COVID-19 emergency preparedness guidelines for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in long-term or community-based care settings here:
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
Scott Finley is Media Relations Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association® in Texas. He can be reached at scfinley@alz.org