John Marcantonio of South Glens Falls takes in the view from atop an Adirondack mountain. (Photo provided)

ALBANY — The Alzheimer’s Association’s Northeastern New York chapter announced its inaugural 29 Peak Challenge in the Adirondack Mountains as part of The Longest Day event.

The Longest Day is a do-it-yourself event held annually on the day with the most light — the Summer Solstice. On that day and leading up to it, people stand up to the darkness of Alzheimer’s and honor the estimated 6.2 million Americans living with the disease, including 410,000 in New York state, and their caregivers.

As part of his fundraising effort, John Marcantonio of South Glens Falls created The Longest Day 29 Peak Challenge. Marcantonio is a member of the Adirondack 46ers, a club dedicated to hikers who have summited all 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks. His goal is to have an individual or family on 29 of the easy to moderate peaks on Saturday, June 19, the day before the Summer Solstice.

“I shine my light for my mom on The Longest Day,” said Marcantonio. “As her son, I endured the long, grueling deterioration that is the journey with Alzheimer’s. My mom lost her battle with this awful disease that robbed her of her memories and her mind. So now I fight for a world without Alzheimer’s, so that someday other families won’t have to go through the pain mine did. Grab your family and friends and join me in this fight. Together, we can turn those peaks purple and raise funds and awareness for dementia research, care and support, here in northeastern New York and beyond!”

For more information on taking part in this challenge, email Ashley Enekes at aenekes@alz.org or call 518-675-7193. To register for The Longest Day, visit alz.org/TheLongestDay.