“The Longest Day” observance on June 21 will honor all people with Alzheimer’s disease. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – For “The Longest Day” observance, local volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association will recruit teams to honor people with Alzheimer’s disease.

On June 21, people across the globe will join together to honor those individuals 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, according to the local Alzheimer’s Association.

The observance falls one day after the Summer Solstice, literally the longest day of the year with the most daylight hours.

Teams will complete a day filled with activities to raise both funds and awareness for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.

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 running, cooking, knitting and playing bridge to advance Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 86,000 in Alabama.

That number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s “2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures” report.

To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday or Facebook/Fight Alz.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all people affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org.