Michael Feldman 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 especially in April during National Volunteer Month. 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 Michael Feldman. "Michael is an amazing example of how you can take an activity you love and combine it with your passion to end Alzheimer's. Michael was able to pivot from his original plans to accommodate Covid-19 restrictions and hiked in honor of his parents. Climbing a mountain or walking a trail for The Longest Day is a symbolic and powerful gesture to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s.", said Danielle Buckler, Special Events Coordinator, AAGNJ.

Michael explains, “Participating in The Longest Day serves as a constant reminder to me that I live with Alzheimer’s in my family every day, along with countless others. Having two parents with Alzheimer’s, I also recognize that I may someday have Alzheimer’s. Along the lines of “life is short,” TLD reminds me to live life to the fullest because you never know what the future will bring. Separately, I was equally surprised and disturbed when, in response to my various fundraiser e-mails and social media posts, countless friends told me about members of their families who suffer or suffered from Alzheimer’s – which I had not previously known. I instantly became part of a new community of which I was not even really aware of just a few years ago.”

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