Auburn’s Running Pastor volunteers to raise Alzheimer’s awareness for The Longest Day
Published 12:19 pm Monday, June 15, 2015
For the Reporter
People across the globe will join together to honor those facing Alzheimer’s disease by participating in The Longest Day on or before Sunday, June 21.
The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset event to honor the strength, passion and endurance of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Teams will complete a day filled with activity to raise funds and awareness for the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Community volunteers are leading recruitment and mentorship for The Longest Day. Mark Joneschiet, The Running Pastor, in Auburn, is helping to promote the event and build team engagement within the local community.
“Aside from running the equivalent distance of the width of the United States, on The Longest Day, I am running from Enumclaw to Les Gove Park in Auburn,” Joneschiet said of his planned Saturday morning run. “I am running for my father who suffered from dementia before he died. This is a small thing to do for those who suffer so much.”
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth leading cause of death. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 100,000 in Washington State, and this number is estimated to grow to as many as 16 million by year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association® 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures report.
To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alz.org/thelongestday or facebook.com/fightalz.
