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The Alzheimer’s Association is challenging communities to show their support of caregiver heroes and those facing Alzheimer’s during National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month by participating in an event near them this June in honor of The Longest Day.
Each event around the summer solstice recognizes the long days that are part of living with Alzheimer’s disease. Today, over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.
Westwood resident Joan Maimonis is rallying the community to participate in The Longest Day on Saturday, June 18 in a Lemons to Lemonade event around town.
Maimonis’ mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease five years ago. She served as her mother’s full time caregiver for two years until her passing in February of 2016.
“I get what care takers go through because I lived it,” Maimonis said.
She heard about The Longest Day after attending an informational event where she met people living with the disease, some of them in their 50s.
“It definitely hit home with me [as a care taker], but what really hit my heartstrings is meeting so many younger people who have it.”
Partnering with another Westwood resident, Abby Homiller, the duo has worked to organize families and local business to host lemonade stands on June 18 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. across the town.
All of the proceeds raised from the Westwood Lemons to Lemonade event will benefit the research, programs and public awareness efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association in Massachusetts.
“This is the perfect town for this. I have a vision for what we can do in Westwood,” said Maimonis, who has organized over a dozen stands and continues her outreach.
Along with establishing lemonade stands with local families in the community, Maimonis has secured locations at businesses such Roche Bros and she continues to reach out to local businesses for their support.
"The Longest Day asks families to do what brings out their passion in remembering and honoring those bravely facing Alzheimer's disease," said Jim Wessler, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. "It is this same passion that unites our families, staff members, advocates and volunteers as we collectively work towards achieving our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease."
For more information or to donate to the Westwood Lemons to Lemonade event, visit: tiny.cc/WestwoodLemonade. To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alzTLD.org.
