Kait Franey shines the light on The Longest Day

The Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (AAGNJ), the leading volunteer-driven voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, advocacy and research is spotlighting people who are making a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia. With more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, and more than 11 million family and friends providing care and support for them, individuals across the country are seeking ways to assist those afflicted with the disease. In New Jersey alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the disease and 347,000 caregivers. On June 20, many of them will be participating in The Longest Day (TLD). The event is held annually on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, and is a day to raise awareness and funds to help end the disease.

Today we say thank you to Kait Franey. "Kait is a great example of what The Longest Day is all about - she took an activity that she loves and turned it into a way to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's disease," said Danielle Buckler, Special Events Coordinator, AAGNJ.

Kait is a first time participant of The Longest Day. She reached Solstice Champion level in less than 24 hours after sharing her fundraising page on Instagram. Solstice Champions are an elite group of fundraisers who raise $1600 or more for Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Kait is running a half marathon in support of The Longest Day to honor her grandmother, who passed from Alzheimer's. Her team name - Born to Run - is inspired by the times that she and her grandmother listened to Bruce Springsteen together.

Kait explains, “For about twenty years of my life, I was lucky enough to live only a couple of hours from my Grandma. I have come to realize how fortunate of an experience this was. Through our time together, we shared smiles over Friendly's ice cream, afternoons in Wegmans trying to find Danny Wegman himself in the Rochester store, and many moments listening to Springsteen in her car. She is someone who has played a large role in me becoming...well, me. She was fiercely independent, creative, and one of the most caring people I have ever known. I feel so lucky to be her eldest grandchild, and for all the memories we were able to make over the years.”

She concludes, “The Longest Day is the day of the year with the most light - the summer solstice. It feels only fitting that I celebrate my Grandma on this day. She was a true light, a ray of intense brightness, to all those around her. It is the way I will always remember her and the reason why I am fundraising to end Alzheimer’s.”

Show your support for The Longest Day and register yourself and your activity today at https://www.alz.org/tld.