1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jennifer Giambi, Alzheimer’s Association, jgiambi@alz.org, 713.314.1319
Alex DeArman, Alzheimer’s Association, adearman@alz.org. 713.314.1340
H RESIDENTS RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR ALZHEIMER’S ON THE LONGEST
DAY®
Local Citizens Join the Alzheimer’s Association®
to Honor those Living with Alzheimer’s and Their
Caregivers
HOUSTON, June 17, 2014 – On June 21, 2014, people across the globe, including 25 in teams in Houston
and its surrounding areas, will participate in The Longest Day®
to honor the strength, passion and endurance
of those facing Alzheimer's with a day of activity.
The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event to raise funds to fuel the care, support and research efforts
of the Alzheimer’s Association®
. On The Longest Day, thousands will complete approximately 16 hours of
activity ranging from running, cooking and knitting to playing cards, to honor those living with Alzheimer’s
disease and their caregivers. Participants in The Longest Day are joining a global conversation about
Alzheimer's disease, the brain and other dementias as part of the inaugural Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness
Month in June.
Here in the Houston-area, one team – lead by one of the Chapter’s Board Members - plans to spend the
entire day creating “fidget quilts”, which will then be donated to Alzheimer’s and dementia care facilities
around the nation. ”Fidget Quilts” are made from a variety of textures and objects that dementia or
Alzheimer’s patients find appealing as their once busy hands search for something to occupy them and offer
them comfort. The Quilting Team will meet at The Quilter’s Emporium in Stafford, Texas and the store
plans to donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to the team’s fundraising efforts. To join or start a team, visit
alz.org/thelongestday.
“Every 68 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease and it is imperative that we help support our
fellow Texans that are battling dementia,” said Richard Elbein, CEO, Alzheimer’s Association Houston and
Southeast Texas Chapter. “Alzheimer’s or another dementia can feel like a lonely journey and we need to
show them that they are not alone.”
Worldwide, there are at least 44 million people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias and it is the
nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s,
including 330,000 here in Texas, and this number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year
2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association®
2014 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.
To join a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday or facebook.com/fightalz.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org®
.

2. About the Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care,
support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research,
to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the
promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org®
or call 800.272.3900.
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