Bethesda woman to walk along Canal for Alzheimer's awareness, funds

When many people hear the phrase "the longest day," they think of the summer solstice - the day of the year with the most light. But The Longest Day® is also a "day of action" for the Alzheimer's Association. In the months leading up to June 21, and on the day itself, thousands of participants from across the world come together to fight the darkness of Alzheimer's with an activity of their choice to help raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

From knitting, karaoke and cards to dancing, swimming and skydiving – the sky's the limit as participants choose an activity they love to honor or remember someone with Alzheimer's. Bethesda resident Wendy Kuhn and her team Team Naborforce Bethesda, will walk along the C&O Canal from 5 - 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening June 8, then head across the street for "Happy Hour" at the Old Angler's Inn Beer Garden. Kuhn has set a team fundraising goal of $2,500.

Kuhn is leading this fundraising activity in memory of her father-in-law. "He loved chocolate chip cookies and he loved his young granddaughter, Victoria," she said. "I marveled at how gentle and patient he was with her. This was true of him throughout his life, a brilliant engineer who always made you feel like you were the smartest person in the room. He was kind and thoughtful and never lost his temper." Although Alzheimer's eventually stole his mind and his personality, Kuhn said her family would remind themselves of the Pop Pop they knew and loved and did not allow the disease to define him in his later years.

Kuhn encourages others in the community to join her walk, or to sign up for The Longest Day and select something that they enjoy doing. Community members interested in joining Kuhn for the walk along the Canal can meet at the Canal Parking Lot at 10790 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854 prior to the 5 p.m. start time. Those with questions can contact her at wendy@naborforce.com.

"I think of the starfish poem. Everyone can make a difference — even if that difference affects just one person. My message is the same. It is a guarantee we will never find a cure if we give into inaction," said Kuhn. "I may not be a scientist or doctor or billionaire, I may not find a cure or solve the problem, but that doesn't mean I can't make a difference. By bringing the community together to do an activity that promotes good health and calls attention to a disease that affects every human being in one way or another, a disease that robs our friend or loved one of their most precious gifts - their memories, I feel like I am making a difference, no matter how small."

To create your own activity or to learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday.