ANOKA, Minn. — Minnesotans may savor our long-awaited summer, but those living with – or caring for someone – with a cruel disease know the unique challenges that come with the longer days.
That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association holds "The Longest Day" event on the summer solstice. And this June 20, Total Country BOB FM Radio will turn over the airwaves to radio legends and hosts Pastor Jon Engen and Chuck Knapp. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Engen and Knapp will interview other familiar personalities, all who have a personal connection to Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
Among the guests who will take part are KARE alumnus Paul Douglas, Minnesota Bound's Ron Schara, MPR's Cathy Wurzer and KARE 11’s own Karla Hult. Hult – who lost her father to Alzheimer’s in 2019 – and remains passionate about supporting those on the Alzheimer’s or other dementia journey. Karla will be joining the broadcast from Athens, Greece. She also founded So Many Goodbyes in 2021, a non-profit that offers mentorships to families currently on the course of this cruel disease, and workshops for long-term care centers to help bridge the communication divide between families and caregivers.
During The Longest Day “Era of New Hope” broadcast, Knapp and Engen will weave in music, interviews, Alzheimer’s news updates and insights from Knapp’s wife, author Cheryl Crofoot Knapp. Crowfoot Knapp wrote “Undefeated Innocence” after losing both of her parents to Alzheimer’s.
“Creating this event with my friends in Twin Cities radio and TV is a way for us to share our stories and hope for an end to this disease. And this year, particularly with new treatments becoming available for those in the earliest stages of the disease it seems appropriate to call this time, the era of new hope,” Knapp said in a statement about the broadcast.
To learn more about The Longest Day “Era of New Hope” live radio broadcast and fundraiser just click here. And to learn how you can host an event for "The Longest Day" (they can happen anytime throughout the year) or more about the abundant resources available at the Alzheimer’s Association, just click here.
The broadcast can be heard on Total Country BOB FM frequencies of 105.5 in St. Cloud, 106.1 in Twin Cities, 107.5 in Faribault/Rochester or online worldwide a mybobcountry.com.
The event on Total Country BOB FM is one of thousands of The Longest Day Alzheimer’s Association fundraising events that will unfold across the country. Named after the summer solstice - the day with the most light, - it represents people coming together to beat this cruel and impactful disease.
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