ABOUT THE LONGEST DAY
Each year, the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute joins the Alzheimer’s Association – West Virginia Chapter in celebrating The Longest Day® – the summer solstice. As the day of the year with the most light, it’s an annual observance that encourages participants to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through awareness and fundraising events. This year, The Longest Day® is Thursday, June 20.
In recognition of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and The Longest Day®, the RNI is offering two ways our community members can participate.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
The RNI Memory Wall
A temporary art installation filled with photos and favorite memories made with those affected by Alzheimer’s disease will be displayed at the RNI Innovation Center.
The RNI Promise Flower Garden
A collection of colorful Alzheimer’s Association Promise Flowers will be planted at the entrance of the RNI Innovation Center on June 20. This fundraiser benefits the Alzheimer’s Association – West Virginia Chapter.
RNI MEMORY WALL PROJECT
Help the RNI promote Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness this June by sharing a favorite memory and/or photo of someone with Alzheimer’s, either living or deceased.
These submitted memories and photos will be printed and hung on a temporary display at the RNI Innovation Center for the last half of June, in recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
EXAMPLE
“The B&O Railroad goes through the town where my grandmother lived, and when I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the trains. I vividly remember visits to my grandma’s and my ears perking up any time I’d hear the train whistle approaching. My grandma would walk me (or drive, depending on weather) to a spot near the tracks where we would watch the train pass by. We’d often stop to get ice cream on our way back to her home. We lost my grandma to Alzheimer’s three years ago, but I’ll never forget how much she did to make her granddaughters happy.”
Brittany Murray
SUPPORT RESEARCH AT THE RNI
If you would prefer to honor your loved one in another way, please consider a gift in support of memory care and research at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY
Tell us about your favorite memory and upload a photo, if you’d like. In order for us to include your memory and/or photo on the RNI Memory Wall, you or your loved one must first give consent using this form.
RNI PROMISE GARDEN TO #ENDALZ
A Promise Garden is a hands-on, mission-focused experience that allows participants to “plant” flowers representing their promise to remember, honor, care, and fight for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
Different flower colors represent supporters’ different relationships to Alzheimer’s:
- Blue: I have Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Yellow: I am supporting or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Purple: I have lost someone to Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Orange: I support the cause and the Alzheimer’s Association vision of a world without Alzheimer’s
Together, the Promise Flowers create a dynamic, colorful, and meaningful “garden.” Anyone can sponsor a flower with the donation of their choosing. Participants’ names will be written on the flower with the appropriate color; a staff member from RNI will contact each flower sponsor for this information. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association – West Virginia Chapter.