CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – This Saturday, David Johnson will be hiking an 11 mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail in an effort to spread awareness and raise money for Alzheimer’s research and care.

A group of over two dozen hikers will participate in the event, part of The Longest Day, which is not only the summer solstice, but it is the Alzheimer’s Association’s largest annual fundraising and awareness initiative.

“We are trying to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s with fundraising activities,” Johnson told Cville Right Now. “The longest day is the umbrella term. Just do something that you’re passionate about with your friends that you already like to do and use it to raise money and awareness and advocate for the cause.”

A number of the hikers, including Johnson, have personal connections to the disease, making the cause one that is close to their hearts. They’ll receive personalized bag tags that show off who they’re hiking in honor of, and corporate sponsors will make financial donations for each hiker.

“My grandmother and mother both had Alzheimer’s,” he said. “I remember watching my father care for his mother when I was a teenager and then just to live through it again years later as he became my mother’s primary caregiver. They both passed away in 2023, victims of the same cruel disease.”

For Johnson, the hike is an opportunity to give to a cause that can help others who have struggling loved ones.

“The idea is not just to have individuals hiking, but to have every mile have a sponsor who is donating towards the cause,” said Johnson. “As opposed to the just David Johnson out, you’re trying to raise $11,000, I’m getting 11 team leaders who also have their own personal story with the disease alongside these corporate sponsors.”

The 11-mile hike will end in a celebration at Three Notched Brewery, starting between 1-2 p.m. depending on when the hikers arrive. This celebration and sponsorship also offers an opportunity to educate.

“People love to hike. They love to go drink beer afterwards, and they love to listen to music,” “These things start to really align because it’s really good for your brain to get outside. It’s good to socialize. It’s good to engage in music and stimulate your brain so there’s lots of synergy between the activities and what is good for educating on Alzheimer’s.”

Johnson saw the Appalachian Trail as a major resource.

“We have this globally recognized asset that is the AT and I can see if my backyard in Crozet,” he said. “Why not use it for a special cause like this.”

Johnson has big goals for the event going forward — hoping to expand it to cover the entire trail.

“Why couldn’t we do this kind of fundraising over 550 miles in Virginia and why couldn’t we do it over 14 states and 2200 miles which is the whole AT and then all of a sudden that’s $2.2 million towards the cause.”

As of Friday afternoon, Johnson’s fundraiser has reached $11,932, exceeding the initial $11,000 goal.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something that honors my parents and that they would be proud of,” Johnson said. “… I’m now investing my time, energy and passion into the Alzheimer’s Association to honor my grandmother, mother, and father and to help other families facing this devastating illness discover a plan of hope that can lead to a life filled with joy, even without a cure.”