West Roxbury Woman Raises Awareness for Alzheimer's

Marisa Stanewick, of West Roxbury is rallying her team, Team Sandy, to raise funds and awareness for an Alzheimer’s Association event called The Longest Day on June 21, 2015, according to a press statement.

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 lost my grandmother 14 years ago to Alzheimer’s disease. Currently my mom is three years into her diagnosis. She is 70 years old,” said Stanewick. “I was adopted at age one and now I help my dad care for my mom, it takes a village.”

Last year was Marisa’s first year participating in The Longest Day, her team raised over $5,200. This year, she plans to start the day with a morning run and end the day by setting up a lemonade stand in her town with local children. To date, Marisa has raised over $1,200 for the event this year.

“Alzheimer’s disease has brought me together with so many strong, wonderful people who share the same passion to find a cure,” said Stanewick. “I’m not a master scientist, but I am a daughter who loves her mother and hopefully that will make a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.”

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

“The idea of The Longest Day resonates with people who have been affected by Alzheimer’s,” said Jim Wessler, president/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. “This is a difficult disease, emotionally, financially and of course in terms of health. People want to be able to fight back and this is one way that they can.”

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.##

About the Alzheimer’s Association:

The Alzheimer Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, and education programs. The Alzheimer’s Association is also the world’s leading nonprofit funder of research into causes, treatments and, someday, a cure. For more information about Alzheimer programs, visit www.alz.org/MANH or call 800.272.3900.

About Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month:

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month in recognition of the 47 million individuals, worldwide, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association will hold public awareness events throughout the U.S., with a special focus on The Longest Day, summer solstice, June 21st. On that day, those dedicated to the cause will be raising funds and awareness sunrise to sunset. Other activities throughout June will feature colorful purple, the Alzheimer cause color, reminders. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and is the only top 10 cause of death in the United States without a method to prevent, cure or even slow its progression.

Caption: Marisa Stanewick and her Mom; Marisa Stanewick and her son.