June is a very special month for the Alzheimer’s Association, along with individual chapters all across the country. In June, the Alzheimer’s Association recognizes Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. The whole month is dedicated towards holding a global conversation about the brain and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other dementias.
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is a part of an effort by the Alzheimer’s Association to increase awareness as well as expand the international presence of the organization while also addressing this worldwide epidemic.
One way the Alzheimer’s Association is spreading awareness throughout the country is The Purple Pledge. We encourage everyone to Go Purple during the month of June. Taking the Purple Pledge basically means you will commit to raising awareness and support for the 47 million people worldwide who are affected with Alzheimer’s. You can take the Purple Pledge at alz.org/gopurple.
Another event taking place near the end of June is The Longest Day. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, takes place on June 21. However, those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers have the longest day, every day. This event is supposed to represent the difficult journey of those living with the disease and the individuals who take care of them.
People who are interested in participating in The Longest Day only have to follow five simple steps! The first is to make a team. So grab your friends, family, or co-workers and form a team. You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to join the fight! Here’s another good piece of news–you don’t even have to live in the same city or state, or even country! The second step is to pick an activity, any activity, to do during the day. The third step is to fundraise. Each team is asked to raise a minimum of $1,600 to further the care, support, and research of the Alzheimer’s Association. The fourth step is to plan your day. June 21, from sunrise to sunset, lasts 16 hours. Divide your day into segments, plan which teammate will participate in each segment, and encourage and cheer on team members throughout the day. Finally, the very last step is to celebrate at sunset; you put a whole day’s worth of effort into supporting the Alzheimer’s Association!
Now, you may be wondering what activity to participate in during The Longest Day. It can really be anything that you love that keeps you both physically and mentally active. Here are some ideas to get you thinking: dance, hike, bike, bowling, crafting, music, gardening… The choices are unlimited! If you are interested in participating in The Longest Day, visit alz.org/tld for more information.
So, as you kick off June and your summer, remember to Go Purple for Alzheimer’s. Keep talking about this worldwide epidemic. If we get everyone to take the Purple Pledge, we will be so much closer to ending Alzheimer’s once and for all.
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