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Why We Support the Alzheimer’s Association and The Longest Day
from June 2022 KAPPAN
By Sandy Wolfe, Alpha Delta Kappa Foundation Chairman, VA Alpha Rho
Since 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 The formerly outgoing gentleman became quiet and withdrawn.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.
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-
rible disease. Now, I am raising money to help support Alzheimer’s/dementia patients and caregivers and to find a cure so that this disease will no longer steal the minds and memories of future generations.
Charlene Lauria, International Executive Board Member – Although he was never formally diagnosed, my Dad’s actions and words were in keeping with the actions of someone going through the stages of Alzheimer’s. This strong, mentally sharp former Marine started asking us to cash in non-existing winning lottery tickets and becoming enraged when we would gently point out that there was no such ticket. Whether it was this or giving us invisible money to buy them or reaching for peanuts that were not there to pop into his mouth to be chewed, we watched as Dad slipped from us. When he suffered a minor stroke and fell, the hospital stay was almost a guilty relief because he was now being cared for by professionals, and it was this group that told us that Alzheimer’s was probably in the picture. Yes, we felt awful for feeling that way, but my Dad was a 6’2”, strong, raging bull when his “sessions'' hit and the safety of the family came into play. He died shortly after the stroke, never coming back home again, and the final diagnosis was made. I watched Dad and at least two uncles suffer this terrible affliction. The Longest Day activities and support for the Alzheimer’s Association help to relieve other families having to watch their loved ones endure this disease.
Joanne Tindall, TN Beta Theta – I participate in the Longest Day because I want to spread the word about Alzheimer's disease and dementia and provide support for my close friends and family who have been devastated by this terrible disease.
Glad Loreen, WA Beta Alpha, Northwest Mentor to the PEs and Ps – Participation in the Longest Day has a sacred place in my annual giving. I think of it as Past, Present and Future. Past: remembering colleagues and friends who have been brilliant as mentors and educators, but who had declines that changed their participation significantly, and gave me the opportunity to support them and their families. Present: planning with family and colleagues for how we put resources in place to handle our declines with grace. Future: commitment to contribute to funding that supports research to advance diagnosis and treatment. Taking part in the Longest Day as a quilter is so meaningful.
Joyce McAloon, International Vice President Northeast Region – In this world there are so many things that can affect a person’s life and change that life forever. As a survivor myself, I realized that the importance of finding a cure for something is what makes a difference in our world. When one of our Connecticut sisters was starting to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s, it affected us all. We asked why but received no answers except that we need to find a cure to help others. Through the years that Alpha Delta Kappa has supported this cause, I participated. I did the walks; I did the work. I even planted flowers with my granddaughter who always wants to be part of things. I want her to know that taking part in things that make a difference makes us stronger and helps so many people. So, you ask why do I participate in The Longest Day? My answer is always as a survivor, you continue to help those in need and continue to support the missions of all organizations fighting diseases, which is to find a cure.
Elizabeth McQueen, Ontario President – It has become a tradition for Ontario A∆K Chapters to participate in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s. Rather than in June, when The Longest Day is honored by American chapters, the Ontario walk happens in May. This year we are counting our steps throughout the month of May, honoring those people in Ontario who live with Alzheimer’s, estimated at 240,000.
Several A∆K sisters have personal connections to Alzheimer’s, either experiencing the effects of dementia in a family member or friend, or seeing the struggle of caregivers. Many of us are at the age where we have recently lost a parent who suffered from dementia. It is very difficult to see a person who has been so capable in life struggle with the characteristics of dementia, all the while knowing this person was so instrumental in who we, ourselves, have become.
The prevalence of this disease in society illustrates the importance of funding research to find a cure. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada writes, “Research is getting us closer every day to finding the cause and cures for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as new and effective approaches to improving care and quality of life for those living with dementia.” This is why so many of us walk – to remember the wonderful person who will always be with us and to provide hope going forward in finding a cure.
Mollie Acosta, International President – My sister-in-law was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's in 2016. A few months later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a recurrence from a bout with it 25 years earlier. My brother has done an amazing job caring for her and dealing with both diagnoses. As we know, any additional stress generally exacerbates Alzheimer's manifestations. Listening to and watching my brother and knowing his heartache has made finding a cure for Alzheimer's and other dementias a passion of mine. I am very proud of Alpha Delta Kappa's support of the Alzheimer's Association and The Longest Day (TLD). I know progress is being made in the fight against Alzheimer's.
You Can Join in the Fight
Alpha Delta Kappa’s 2022 TLD goal is to exceed the 2021 total of $222,642. It’s not too late to register your team at alz. org/adk to ensure your team’s donations count toward Alpha Delta Kappa’s grand total. Select Alpha Delta Kappa and follow the on-screen instructions. Select an activity, start raising funds and ask others to join you. You’ll receive a participant guide in the mail and you can also use the online resources to find lots of fun fundraising ideas. The final date to submit all
