Milwaukee, WI – On June 20, 2016, people across the globe, including individuals living and working in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties will Go Purple and participate in The Longest Day® to honor the strength, heart and endurance of those facing Alzheimer’s with a day of activity.
The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event to raise funds to fuel the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. On The Longest Day, thousands will complete approximately 16 hours of activity ranging from running, cooking and knitting to playing cards, to honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Participants in The Longest Day are joining a global conversation about Alzheimer’s disease, the brain and other dementias as part of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in June. Here is a snapshot of a few of the activities happening locally:
Milwaukee County
• The giant Heibor Mammoth skeleton located on the first floor of the Milwaukee Public Museum will wear a big Purple bow on Monday to bring greater awareness of Alzheimer’s disease to museum patrons and communicate the need to bring this disease to extinction.
• The 4 Aces Bridge Club, led by John Pereles, President and Owner, has joined the American Contract Bridge League’s efforts nationwide by playing bridge at their Noon and 6:00 p.m. sessions to benefit The Longest Day. The Bridge Club, headquartered at the Radisson Hotel, 7065 N. Port Washington Road, in Milwaukee has also made the commitment to donate the proceeds of every charity game for the next year to the Alzheimer’s Association. The American Contract Bridge League, with more than 167,000 members nationwide, is the inaugural partner for The Longest Day and has raised more than $1 million over the last three years.
• Staff and residents of The Lutheran Home in Wauwatosa will enjoy fundraising activities from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. including a selfie photo booth, lap walking, healthy snack table, and a brain games station. From 4:30 – 9:00 p.m. the festivities will move to The Red Dot, 6715 W. North Avenue. The Red Dot, which is normally closed on Monday, has agreed to open as The Purple Dot that evening and will donate 10% of their proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association. Everyone in the metro area is invited to enjoy food, drinks and fun at The Purple Dot on this special evening.
Ozaukee County
• Thanks to Kathy Glaser, Dementia Care Specialist, ADRC of Ozaukee County, Dementia Friendly Ozaukee County and Ozaukee County Sheriff Jim Johnson, multiple events will be happening county-wide throughout the day. The Sheriff, partnering with local law enforcement, will relay a purple torch from city to city throughout the day to bring awareness of Alzheimer’s disease to citizens county-wide.
A few of the scheduled events in Ozaukee County include:
• There will be a Trishaw ride starting at LaSata, W76 N677 Wauwatosa Road in Cedarburg beginning at 9:00 a.m. A Trishaw is a hybrid of the tricycle and the rickshaw. It is often used as a local means of transport in East Asia. The Trishaw will be driven to the American Legion in Grafton, accompanied by the Cedarburg Police Department.
• From 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. the American Legion in Grafton will host a Brat Fry, Bake Sale and Brain Games for the community.
• Creative art activities and ice cream treats supported by Port Washington State Bank and Plus Financial Group will be held at the Village Hall in Belgium from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• The day will culminate at Rotary Park in Port Washington with sunset yoga beginning at 7:00 p.m., followed by a short walk to Newport Shores, 407 E Jackson Street, where there will be a celebration with food, drinks, and music provided by a DJ.
Other Ozaukee county municipalities taking part in The Longest Day festivities are Thiensville, Mequon, Saukville, and Fredonia. The Alzheimer’s Association thanks law enforcement and first responders in Ozaukee County for their participation in The Longest Day and for their recent and ongoing Alzheimer’s and dementia training initiatives.
More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 110,000 in Wisconsin. This number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050. Alzheimer’s is the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. Additionally, there are more than 15 million caregivers, according to the
Alzheimer’s Association 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. Worldwide, there are an estimated 47 million people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
To join a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday or facebook.com/fightalz. For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
About the Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.