Teams across Greater Cleveland will join together to honor those facing Alzheimer’s disease during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month by participating in The Longest Day on June 20. The sunrise-to-sunset event recognizes the strength, passion and endurance of caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Held annually on the summer solstice, The Longest Day symbolizes the seemingly endless journey so many facing Alzheimer’s disease are asked to endure. Participants will complete activities including running, cooking, hiking and playing bridge to help advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Cleveland area has more than 20 teams.
Wayne Heritage of North Olmsted will host his annual bridge tournament, “Memories and Matchpoints” at the Rocky River City Hall on The Longest Day in honor of his wife, Prudence, who is suffering from the disease. This is the third year for the tournament, which raised over $6,500 in 2015 with 120 bridge players from the Cleveland area. Space is still available for anyone interested in joining the tournament.
Al Keim of Mentor is helping to promote Brain Awareness Month by hosting an event on June 18. Al and his family will be hiking in memory of his father, Woody Keim, at the Cleveland Metroparks North Chagrin Reservation. They invite anyone to join them. The “Woody’s Wanderers” goal is $2,000.
To join or support either team, email [email protected] or call 216-342-5606. To start your own team or to learn more about The
Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday. Alzheimer’s is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 210,000 in Ohio. The number nationwide is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.
