AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Summer Solstice marks the longest day of the year, and people across the country will use the extra hours of sunlight to raise money to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association encourages people to join its annual fundraiser on The Longest Day, with the proceeds going toward advancing research, treatment and care for the nearly 7 million people living with the disease.
From sports tournaments to baking marathons, card games to crafts, and galas to lemonade stands, the association said people can participate in any fundraising activity of their choice. People can participate as individuals or on a team. According to the association, participants can also choose any day that works best for them while the campaign runs.
The Longest Day comes as June marks Brain Awareness Month.
- For more information on recognizing memory concerns or the signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, click here.
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that slowly destroys memory, thinking ability, and, over time, the ability to carry out daily activities, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Dementia is the term for conditions where memory, language and problem-solving difficulties are severe enough to interfere with everyday life. Many conditions can cause dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause.
In Texas, nearly half a million people over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s. According to state data, that means it ranks third in the nation in the number of cases and second in the number of Alzheimer’s deaths.
“For the first time, we have treatments that can change the course of Alzheimer’s. While this is a tremendous step forward, our work is far from done. We won’t rest until everyone living with the disease — at any stage — can get the treatment, care and support they need and deserve,” the association wrote on its website.
The Alzheimer’s Association also released a list of healthy habits for people’s brains, including controlling your blood pressure, getting enough sleep, eating healthy and challenging your mind. You can read more about those tips here.
A representative with the Alzheimer’s Association Capital of Texas Chapter will join KXAN News at Noon Tuesday. This article will be updated later with more information from that conversation.
Credit: Source link
