Long Islander Runs Three Day 90-Mile From Montauk to Plainview Honoring Grandmother with Alzheimer's & Raising LIAF Funds

Montauk, N.Y.; November 22, 2016 – Jay Asparro of Plainview recently ran from Montauk to Plainview, completing his three-day, 90-mile Multi-Marathon Inaugural “Ann Asparro Run” honoring his grandmother and generating awareness in support of Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation (LIAF), a leading organization committed to offering services for individuals facing Alzheimer’s disease as well as their caregivers. Among the services LIAF provides are support groups, in-home respite and a social adult day program that runs five days a week for early, moderate and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The Inaugural Ann Asparro Run and Asparro’s efforts combined raised over $30,000, which will benefit the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation and its programs for families suffering with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers.

Asparro was cheered on by dozens of his friends and family along with staff and board members of the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation as he crossed the finish line in front of family parish, St. Pius X R.C. Church in Plainview, marking the end of his consecutive three-day 90-mile run, which kicked off in Montauk. Asparro’s love and gratitude for his grandmother, Ann Asparro, who is living with Alzheimer’s, was the driving force behind his decision to take on this special three-day challenge.

“It was a long, hard road since January when I started to train,” said Asparro. “The finish at St. Pius was more than I could have imagined. I fell to my knees. The importance is the lives of the families that I’ve been able to touch and help. I want to thank my family and all the support that they’ve given me. We’re closer now than we’ve ever been before. After finishing this journey, I will take time to reflect and refocus. Going forward, I will continue to raise awareness and funds for LIAF’s programs for the families who are suffering from Alzheimer’s and the community. I have plans for what we want to do next year.”

During his three-day 90-mile run, Asparro travelled through the Long Island communities of Montauk, Napeague, Amagansett, East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, Southampton, Tuckahoe, Shinnecock, Hampton Bays, East Quogue, Quogue, Quiogue, Westhampton Beach, Westhampton, Remsenburg-Speonk, Eastport, East Moriches, Center Moriches, Moriches, Mastic, Shirley, Brookhaven, North Bellport, East Patchogue, Patchogue, Blue Point, Bayport, Sayville, Bohemia, Oakdale, East Islip, Islip, Bay Shore, Brightwaters, West Bay Shore, West Islip, Babylon, West Babylon, North Amityville, Farmingdale, Old Bethpage until reaching the finish line in Plainview.

“Jay is a special individual who, along with his family, understands the impact that Alzheimer’s has on families. His love and dedication for his grandmother is inspiring and we are fortunate to have such a passionate individual who gives his all in mind, spirit and body to the cause of helping those with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers. He has brought much needed attention to the necessity of programs and care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers who give so much every day,” said Tori Cohen, Executive Director Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.

“When I started this journey, I wanted to help my own family,” Asparro commented. “If I was able to help one family it was worth it. I ran for at least 90 families; with every mile I ran, I ran on behalf of a different family. My grandmother taught me about faith, family and love. During this run, I ran not only for my family but families who have struggled through this disease as well as families who are currently suffering with Alzheimer’s. If we were to line all these families up in a row and someone were to ask ‘point to the family that Jay is running for,’ they would point to their own family.”

To support Asparro and donate to the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation (LIAF), visit www.theannasparrorun.com For information about LIA, please visit www.liaf.org

For more than 25 years, LIAF has been providing supportive community-based services to Alzheimer’s families on Long Island. The Foundation is one of the few not-for-profits on Long Island which offer critically needed social adult day programs for individuals facing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. LIAF takes considerable pride in its pioneering role in the development of cutting-edge services that foster the independence, dignity, well-being and safety of individuals with Alzheimer’s. For information call (516) 767-6856 or visit www.liaf.org

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Photo captions:
Jay Finish 1 Photo: Jay Asparro speaks to friends, family, fans and supporters at the finish line in front of his family parish, St. Pius X R.C. Church in Plainview, after completing his three-day, 90-mile Multi-Marathon Inaugural “Ann Asparro Run” to honor his grandmother and raise Alzheimer’s Awareness as well as funds for Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation to make a difference in the lives of others suffering from this disease or other memory disorders. Photo credit: Rob Loud

Jay Finish 2 Photo: Cheered on by friends, family, fans and supporters along the finish line in front of St. Pius X R.C. Church in Plainview, Jay Asparro runs the final few feet of his three-day, 90-mile Multi-Marathon Inaugural “Ann Asparro Run” honoring his grandmother and raising Alzheimer’s Awareness as well as funds for Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation to make a difference in the lives of others suffering from this disease or other memory disorders. Photo credit: Rob Loud

Jay Finish 3 Photo: Tori Cohen (far left), Executive Director of Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation, presents Jay Asparro (far right) with a photo album book to collect the numerous memories and photos of the Inaugural “Ann Asparro Run.” Asparro completed his three-day, 90-mile Multi-Marathon Inaugural “Ann Asparro Run” to honor his grandmother and raise Alzheimer’s Awareness as well as funds for Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation to make a difference in the lives of others suffering from this disease or other memory disorders. Photo credit: Rob Loud