The ‘Longest Day’ Sheds Light on Alzheimer’s Disease

The Alzheimer’s Association has chosen the summer solstice, June 21, to shed light on Alzheimer’s disease and to raise awareness about the mind-altering, life-changing condition through a fundraising event called The Longest Day. The second purpose is to raise funds for research to benefit the 53 million people worldwide diagnosed with the disease.

Color purple

People around the world are wearing purple to make a strong statement. Purple is the campaign’s signature color and the Alzheimer’s Association invites Longest Day participants to take selfies and upload their pictures to the nonprofit’s website, where they can also make a donation to the cause of ending Alzheimer’s disease.

Use the hashtags #ENDALZ and #TheLongestDay to promote the Longest Day campaign on social media. The organization is encouraging supporters on social media to post an explanation of why they’re fighting to end the cognitive disorder. Post a picture of yourself and friends who are wearing purple, or post if you’re donating on behalf of a loved one with dementia.

Have fun, raise funds

The Alzheimer’s Association has made it easy to raise funds on the Longest Day. You don’t have to run a 5K, wash cars or set up a lemonade stand, but you can do all of these if you’re so inclined. You are able to plan your personal fundraiser, so the sky’s the limit. Participants are invited to create an activity and ask for donations upon completion.

It may be too late to plan a fundraising activity for this year, but it’s still possible to donate to a fundraiser or make a general donation at Alz.org. The best thing about raising money is that every dollar donated benefits those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Millions of dollars have been raised globally for treatment, prevention, and research of a cure. However, the need is greater still. The global cost exacted by dementia in 2015 was $818 billion.

Donations

Donations have provided in excess of $455 million, which aided in the creation of what the Alzheimer’s Association refers to as the “first new diagnostic guidelines” in nearly three decades. Additionally, 77 percent of the funds are devoted to Alzheimer’s care and support while 17 percent of donations go to fundraising and administration receives 6 percent.

In the United States, the cost of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias will reach $290 billion in 2019, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Statisticians expect it to exceed $1 trillion by 2050.

The devastating numbers overwhelm, but together we can make a difference and end Alzheimer’s disease. Maybe even in your lifetime.

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Note: Alzheimer’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Alzheimer’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Alzheimer’s Disease.