Wayland Woman Raises Awareness for Alzheimer's With 'The Longest Day'

Deborah Strafuss of Wayland is rallying a team to raise funds and awareness for an Alzheimer’s Association event called The Longest Day on June 21.

The Longest Day, focused on the summer solstice was created in recognition of the long days that are part of living with Alzheimer’s disease.

“I am a care daughter, who kissed her mother goodbye this past January after 18 years of journeying with her through Alzheimer’s disease,” said Strafuss in the announcement. “My grandmother passed from it in the 80s, and of her four daughters, two have died from Alzheimer’s and the remaining twins are in the early and mid-stages of the disease.”

Deborah was inspired to create her team, Reiki for Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, after discovering the benefits of Reiki as she cared for her mother. Reiki is healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being.

“As we slipped into the late stages of the disease I discovered Reiki,” said Strafuss in a statement. “Using Reiki with my mother facilitated a beautiful connection we were both able to enjoy right up to the end, as well as providing her with comfort and assistance in her final stages.”

For The Longest Day Deborah reached out to Reiki practitioners to donate the proceeds of one Reiki session to the cause. Throughout the day, she plans to spread the practice of Reiki and the benefits to various communities through small clinics along with full sessions at Gentle Place Wellness Group in Framingham.

Funds raised by Deborah will benefit the research, programs and public awareness efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association in Massachusetts.

Read more about this fundraiser and event.

The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event that symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Teams are encouraged to design their own day as they raise funds and create a meaningful experience to support the Alzheimer’s movement. Participants can create relays, organize tournaments, take on physical challenges, or design days based around a loved one’s favorite activities. To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alzTLD.org.##