Jennifer Zisa Shines the Light on The Longest Day

The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter (AAGNJ), the leading volunteer-driven health organization in Alzheimer's care, support, advocacy and research, is highlighting inspiring stories and contributions from people making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

With more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementia, and more than 11 million family and friends providing care and support for them, individuals across the country are seeking ways to assist those afflicted with the disease. In New Jersey alone, there are more than 190,000 people living with the Alzheimer’s and 361,000 caregivers. On June 21, many of them will be participating in The Longest Day (TLD). The event is held annually on the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, and is a day to raise awareness and funds to help end the disease.

Today we say thank you to Jennifer Zisa, of Nutley. "Jennifer is shining her light for her father who is living with Alzheimer’s, and all those affected by dementia. We are so lucky to have participants like Jennifer by our side in the fight against this disease”, said Danielle Buckler, Special Events Coordinator, AAGNJ.

Jennifer, explains, “My family is participating in The Longest Day in support of my father, and superhero, who is living with Alzheimer's. I did not fully appreciate how amazing he is until I became an adult and started raising my own children. I now realize all of the gifts he gave me as a child, and for so many reasons I want to honor him in this new chapter of his life, and ours. I have three children ages 23, 12, and 9, and all of them have loved organizing and running lemonade stands. In fact, we still dust off the 20 years old toy cash register my oldest had used in her early lemonade stand days.”

She continues, “I'm always delighted to see the pure joy the kids get from being responsible, serving others, and earning some spending money. When someone stops by, the excitement emanating from the kids is so powerful, that it touches all who are at that lemonade stand. Beyond that, it is heartwarming to see so many in the community come out and support them, congregate around the table in our driveway, and reconnect with their neighbors, old and new. From our experience, there is something special about a lemonade stand, that sparks the joy in people as they reconnect to those happy, simple memories, and things just seem bright, hopeful and uncomplicated, yet powerful (like my dad). Our driveway lemonade stand is the perfect venue to raise funds to support the Alzheimer's Association, while raising hearts, evoking nostalgia, and looking to a bright future.”

Show your support for The Longest Day and register yourself and your activity today at https://www.alz.org/tld.