People across the globe will join together to honor those facing Alzheimer's disease by participating in The Longest Day. The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset event to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
Teams will complete a day filled with activity to raise funds and awareness for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. The event takes place on June 20, the longest day of the year, but participants can complete an event prior to that date.
Held annually on the summer solstice, The Longest Day symbolizes the seemingly endless journey so many facing Alzheimer’s disease are asked to endure. Participants will complete approximately 16 hours of activity ranging from running, cooking, knitting to playing bridge, to help advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
For Jessica Comellas, Miami Lakes resident and piano teacher, the event allows her to honor her Nana, Ileana Merino, who was diagnosed in 2012 with Alzheimer’s. Comellas learned how to play piano on the lap of her Nana, who was a classically trained pianist from Cuba, and piano teacher before she was diagnosed.
On Saturday May 14, Comellas along with some of her Nana’s past piano students, family and friends took shifts playing a piano at the Don Shula’s Hotel lobby, 6842 Main Street, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter.
“My Nana loved music, and she instilled that love in me,” Comellas said. “I can’t think of a better activity than to do what we both loved so much – playing the piano.”