Deborah Strafuss, of Wayland is rallying a team to raise funds and awareness for an Alzheimer’s Association® event called The Longest Day on June 21. The Longest Day, focused on the summer solstice was created in recognition of the long days that are part of living with Alzheimer’s disease.
“I am a care daughter, who kissed her mother goodbye this past January after 18 years of journeying with her through Alzheimer’s disease,” said Strafuss. “My grandmother passed from it in the 80s, and of her four daughters, two have died from Alzheimer’s and the remaining twins are in the early and mid-stages of the disease.”
Deborah was inspired to create her team, Reiki for Alzheimer’s and Caregivers, after discovering the benefits of Reiki as she cared for her mother. Reiki is healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being.
“As we slipped into the late stages of the disease I discovered Reiki,” said Strafuss. “Using Reiki with my mother facilitated a beautiful connection we were both able to enjoy right up to the end, as well as providing her with comfort and assistance in her final stages.”
For The Longest Day Deborah has reached out to Reiki practitioners to donate the proceeds of one Reiki session to the cause. Throughout the day, she plans to spread the practice of Reiki and the benefits to various communities through small clinics along with full sessions at Gentle Place Wellness Group in Framingham.
“The Longest Day is the perfect opportunity to highlight the benefits of Reiki while raising funds for a much needed early detection, prevention and cure,” said Strafuss. “There is a great need to empower caregivers as well as those living with Alzheimer’s.”
Funds raised by Deborah will benefit the research, programs and public awareness efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association in Massachusetts.
“The idea of The Longest Day resonates with people who have been affected by Alzheimer’s,” said Jim Wessler, president/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. “This is a difficult disease, emotionally, financially and of course in terms of health. People want to be able to fight back and this is one way that they can.”
The Longest Day is a sunrise-to-sunset team event that symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Teams are encouraged to design their own day as they raise funds and create a meaningful experience to support the Alzheimer’s movement. Participants can create relays, organize tournaments, take on physical challenges, or design days based around a loved one’s favorite activities. To start a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit http://www.alzmass.org/tld.asp.
About the Alzheimer’s Association:
The Alzheimer Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, and education programs. The Alzheimer’s Association is also the world’s leading nonprofit funder of research into causes, treatments and, someday, a cure. For more information about Alzheimer programs, visit www.alz.org/MANH or call 800.272.3900.
