CAMP HILL, Pa. – On Friday, Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Robert Torres visited the Alzheimer’s Association’s Wash Alzheimer’s Away event in observance of The Longest Day.
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, and June 21 is the summer solstice and the longest day of light of the year, a day the Alzheimer’s Association recognizes to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s. Secretary Torres met with visitors and volunteers at the event, who shared their stories and connections to Alzheimer’s disease.
“Today’s Longest Day event allowed me to meet so many people invested in eliminating Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders,” said Secretary Torres. “The Department of Aging’s initiatives like our Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders State Plan and Task Force align with this objective—as we understand how many people are touched by Alzheimer’s or related disorders.”
The Wash Alzheimer’s Away event was held outside at KCA Wealth Management, LLC, and included a car wash, lunch hosted by Flinchy’s, a bake sale, live music, and more. With each monetary goal hit, the KCA Wealth team agreed to various terms, including matching the donation, eating chocolate covered crickets, and dying their hair purple.
“The Alzheimer’s Association appreciates the efforts of Brian Kennedy and KCA Wealth Management to host this event for The Longest Day. It is a great example of an individual making a huge impact in his community,” said Clay Jacobs, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. “It is an honor to have Secretary Torres visit our event and a wonderful way to raise visibility of the disease. His visit shows that we are making strides in the local community to highlight awareness of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.”
Pennsylvania is home to approximately 3 million adults age 60 and older, and more than 300,000 age 85 and older. An estimated 280,000 Pennsylvania residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and when including related dementias, the estimate is closer to 400,000 – translating to one in 12 Pennsylvania families.
Last year the department announced the formation of Pennsylvania’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders State Plan Task Force. The task force is made up of dedicated advocates impacted by these conditions and committed to taking a lead role in implementing and championing the goals and recommendations of Pennsylvania’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit alz.org. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, visit aging.pa.gov.
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