Why We Support the Alzheimer’s Association and The Longest Day By Sandy Wolfe, Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation Chairman, VA Alpha Rho
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ince 2016, Alpha Delta Kappa members have participated in the Alzheimer’s Association’s The Longest Day activities, collecting $763,000 in donations to help fund research, early detection, support and quality care. Could this be the year when our cumulative donations top $1,000,000? The summer solstice on June 21 is known as the day with the most light. People around the world will be working to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s by participating in The Longest Day through fundraising activities of their choice. Some members share their reasons for supporting The Longest Day: Sandy Wolfe, A∆K Foundation Chairman, VA Alpha Rho – My dad is my reason, my inspiration for participating in The Longest Day. Dad had an active lifestyle golfing, fishing, gardening, grilling, meeting new people and playing cards and dice games. In his later years he suffered with memory issues. The formerly outgoing gentleman became quiet and withdrawn. Dad had spent his entire work career in finance, yet in his 80s he could no longer consistently balance his checkbook. While Dad was in assisted living, we would play his favorite dice game, 10,000. On some days, he could count the score for each roll of the dice; other days, he said with a laugh that I was cheating if my score was higher than his. It was an activity that he enjoyed until a few months before his passing. Online Alzheimer’s resources helped me understand the changes Dad was undergoing. On June 21, I'll be working in my garden with my herbs, remembering how much Dad enjoyed caring for his garden, especially his prized tomato and parsley plants. Mary Jane Henderson, WA Alpha Nu – Although my husband suffered from another form of dementia, I became well aware of how life-changing memory-related illness can be. The person you love becomes someone completely different. It is as though you lose them before they actually pass away. Supporting organizations that are working to find a cure and assist those living with these challenges is very important. 20
Pat Watkins, FL A∆K Team Captain – In 2006, I lost my mother to Alzheimer’s. She must have had it for many years, but she was very good at hiding the signs and symptoms. When we became aware, I took her for testing and got the diagnosis – Alzheimer’s. She lived with us after that, and we saw the effects every day. When we felt she needed more care than we could give her, we moved her to a nursing home. A little over a month later, she was gone. I know how devastating the disease is for the afflicted, but also for the caregiver. I understand the importance of finding a cure. Jennifer Thomas, VA Gamma Iota – I participate in The Longest Day to honor the memory of a very special aunt. Although I didn't see her often, she was still very dear to me. She was hospitalized near the end of her illness, and I was able to visit her before she passed. It was hard to hold her hand and look into her eyes when she had no recognition of me. I participate to raise awareness of this disease, and I hope that someday there will be a cure. Robin Miller, TX Gamma Nu – The Alzheimer’s Longest Day is not only an International Altruistic project, but also a project near and dear to my heart. I have a TX Gamma Nu sister with whom I taught for many years who currently has Alzheimer’s. She was one of the funniest, big-hearted people I knew. Today, Alzheimer’s has changed my dear friend. She is being taken care of by her wonderful husband, who has shared that the Alzheimer’s Association has been a lifeline for him. I have, at times, used their counseling services to discuss my friend. They are a wonderful resource for friends and family. Needless to say, The Longest Day project is important to me and all of the Texas sisters who have similar situations. Christine Phillips, SC A∆K Team Captain – My participation in The Longest Day as an individual and as a team captain is two-fold. It began as a way to honor my older sister, Genelle, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease about eight years ago. The more I participated, the more I learned about this hor-
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