The Longest Day is finally here and my excitement is at fever pitch! All of the planning and hard work has come together, and I know it will be another fun and successful event. My team is certainly ready to make the most of this special day.
Why do I fight Alzheimer’s on The Longest Day, year after year? It is because my wonderful husband Warren is courageously living with Alzheimer’s.
This is my fourth year as team captain and I'm proud to say that each year has gotten better than the year before. In my “rookie” year, my team raised $12,000, and in my second year of participation, I added an auction and raffle to my event and raised $34,000. Last year was a big year for my team, equaling a whopping $43,000 in donations!
I am proud and truly astonished by all my team has accomplished, and today is the day to celebrate. We all know that in order to find a cure and support families facing this disease, we need more funding, so every dollar we raise is a step closer. Knowing we are a part of that drives us even more!
I feel blessed to be part of the St. Louis Bridge Center, surrounded by hundreds of people that support me and care about this cause. Besides playing bridge all day and evening, we will have a silent auction and multiple raffles. There will also be t-shirts available for sale that will help all of us “go purple!” We have raised more than $25,000 so far and look forward to adding much more throughout the day today.
There are a lot of longest days in the life of a caregiver; there are days when I am exhausted and wonder how I’m going to get through this experience. But then I remember how much Warren needs me. Thankfully our family, friends and our support group are a major part of helping me cope. They help make the longest days seem a little less long – and days like today a lot more fun!
Participating in The Longest Day is my way of saying “I love you, Warren” while helping the millions of others that are living and struggling with this disease. I wish the best of luck to everyone celebrating today, no matter how you are participating. Have fun, and remember: the fight must go on!
About the Author: Linda Powers and her family and friends are participating in Alzheimer’s Association The Longest Day®. Linda is captain of the St. Louis Bridge Center team and plays as a member of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Click here to visit Linda’s team page.