Don and Nancy enjoying a boat ride

My Journey in Honoring Nancy: The Longest Day

Don Desonier became an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer after losing his wife, Nancy, to early-onset dementia. This year, he is participating in The Longest Day® in her honor.  A woman of grace, beauty and limitless love Don’s wife, Nancy, was a professional flute performer and teacher, having graduated from UCLA with a degree in flute performance. Little did she know that her talent and love for … Continue reading My Journey in Honoring Nancy: The Longest Day

Glenn kissing Pam on the cheeck at Christmas

Things I Miss: Making Every Minute Count

By Glenn Jacobs, Puyallup, Wash. Hi there, my name is Glenn. It has been three-and-half years since my wife, Pam passed away from Alzheimer’s. We were married in 1969, so it was a long time that we had been married. We first learned about her diagnosis only three years prior to her death, so that wasn’t a very long time at all. It was a … Continue reading Things I Miss: Making Every Minute Count

Making Grandma Smile: Why I Walk

Jaxon is the leader of his Walk to End Alzheimer’s team, Jax’s End ALZ Army, one of the top fundraising teams for the Spokane Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Jaxon walks in honor of his grandma, who has been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2013. This June, Jax turned 9 years old.  Jax lives in Cheney, WA with his mom, dad and older sister Jordan. When … Continue reading Making Grandma Smile: Why I Walk

Janet Callahan: The Longest Day Coordinator

Janet Callahan lives in Edmonds, Wash. with her husband and son, “The Nicks,” (also known as Nick and son Nicholas) and their two chubby cats. In January 2020, Janet joined the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter as The Longest Day Coordinator. Janet came to the Alzheimer’s Association through “total serendipity.” While attending a Journey Dementia Family Caregiver Conference in November with her father, she happened … Continue reading Janet Callahan: The Longest Day Coordinator

Alzheimer’s, dementia & the healing power of music

*Editor’s note, the 2020 Discovery Alzheimer’s Regional Conference has been rescheduled to June 25, 2020. Please see note below article.  Cheryl Hodge, BFA, is an author and award-winning performer. Her first professional gig was when she was 16 years old. She spent time touring the US and Europe, taught in the vocal department for eight years at Berklee College of Music in Boston and headed … Continue reading Alzheimer’s, dementia & the healing power of music

Farmer, Musician, Caregiver: The Longest Day

Laurie Lee Lewis is a self-described “whirlwind” of a woman. Besides being a farmer, songwriter, musician, author and philanthropist, she has also been the primary caregiver for both of her parents the past four years. This year, Laurie is celebrating her birthday and honoring her father with a celebration on her farm for The Longest Day on June 21. Her parents, Jack and Darlene Little, … Continue reading Farmer, Musician, Caregiver: The Longest Day

Photos from Discovery 2018

NOTE: Discovery 2019 is now March 8. Thank you to everyone who made Discovery 2018 a success, including photographer Kailee Powers. Check out some of her photos from the day. We hope to see you in 2019! Continue reading Photos from Discovery 2018

The Longest Day: Music for Mom

Sheri Roberts Greimes is an award-winning singer songwriter, known for bringing her powerhouse voice to venues across the Pacific Northwest. As part of The Longest Day, she’s taking the stage for a very special occasion — her mother’s 80th birthday. Her mother, Joni Latham, raised four children as a single mom. She also owned and operated a popular salon, Adam and Eve, in Marysville. “She’s … Continue reading The Longest Day: Music for Mom

Meet Kenny Alhadeff, the 2018 Seattle Walk Chair

We’re excited to introduce Kenny Alhadeff as our 2018 Seattle Walk Chair! Kenny brings invaluable leadership experience to his new role as Chair of the Walk Planning Committee, which oversees execution of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Seattle. He joins in the fight against Alzheimer’s as a way to honor his mother, who died from the disease. “It is my honor and privilege to … Continue reading Meet Kenny Alhadeff, the 2018 Seattle Walk Chair

What is The Longest Day?

The Longest Day is a “day of action” for the Alzheimer’s Association during Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month®. The Longest Day is held on the day with the most light – the summer solstice. On The Longest Day, thousands of participants from across the world come together to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through an activity of their choice – biking, hiking, playing bridge, swimming, knitting … Continue reading What is The Longest Day?