Tufts Football Raises Awareness for Alzheimer’s

Members of the Tufts University Football program rallied together raise funds and awareness for an Alzheimer’s Association® event called The Longest Day on Sunday, 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.

Tufts Football joined the event to honor defensive lineman Corey Burns whose father was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in 2010. Players, coaches and alumni participated in the sunrise to sunset challenge around the country and the world. Each participant ran, walked or jumped at least 96 stairs in recognition of Burns’ uniform number and checked in on social media with the hashtag #4burns96.

“Corey approached us about doing something for The Longest Day,” said Tufts University Football Coach Jay Civetti. “After the initial conversation I decided I wanted to surprise him.”

Burns joined The Longest Day event as part of the 48 Peaks Challenge. On Sunday, June 21, Burns climbed one of the 48 4,000 foot mountains in New Hampshire while the Tufts Football team, coaches and alumni embarked on the #4burns96 challenge.

“He had no idea going into it that we had planned something behind the scenes,” said Civetti. “The guys wanted to give back; he is such a remarkable person. He is the first kid to take his shirt off his back for you so we wanted to repay him. We think the world of Corey and his family. It was our way of letting him know we love him and care about him and that he wasn’t in this by himself.”

The Tufts University Football program is committed to raising awareness for Alzheimer’s year round, even sporting purple ribbons on the back of their helmets, the color for Alzheimer’s disease awareness.

“Tufts Football has done so much to shine a light on Alzheimer’s in the past and we were blown away by their efforts on The Longest Day to support their teammate,” said Jason Lynch, development officer at the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter. “That’s what being part of a team is all about.”

To date, the Tufts Football Team, Jumbos for Burns96 has raised over $960 of their $1600 fundraising goal. Funds raised by the team 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 support a team or learn more about The Longest Day, visit alzTLD.org.

– Submitted by the Alzheimer’s Association