SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — With summer comes the longest day of the year, the summer solstice.

That is when the Alzheimer’s Association celebrates those raising money to find a cure, as part of their “The Longest Day” fundraising initiative, where people can raise money while doing something they love.

It’s a cause that hits home for one local woman, who is taking to the trails to help support her husband.

Lacing up her shoes and hopping on her bike is far from Julie Jaworski’s favorite thing to do.

“I am getting better and better at it. I am still really slow,” said Jaworski.

Buts it’s a way for her to exercise and support Dan Jaworski, her husband of 37 years, who loves it.

“Especially biking. I feel like I am ahead of the disease, just like it’s not catching me. So, to have a partner who is so willing to come, and it’s just a great time for us to spend time together. So, it’s been a beautiful part of my journey,” Dan Jaworski said.

Dan Jaworski is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and now his wife is peddling to help find a cure.

“This particular campaign for the Alzheimer’s Association is called The Longest Day and everybody takes an activity that they are passionate about and they turn it into a fundraiser. And so Dan and I are pretty passionate about exercise. So, I turn 60 years old today, so we decided that we would have our longest day be a 60-mile bike ride,” said Julie Jaworski.

Shining a light on the darkness of this disease is nothing new for her. She’s been participating in the longest day and helping the Central and North Florida Alzheimer’s Association for the last five years. Development Manager Denise Ward estimates she’s raised $300,000 for the cause.

“Not only does she fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Association, but she also helps me to grow the program,” said Ward.

It’s been a passion for Julie Jaworski ever since she noticed a change in her husband back in 2018. He started having memory issues, like forgetting how to get to places he’s been to dozens of times. That led them to nine months of tests and doctor visits, where he was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.

“Every memory issue said significantly impaired,” said Julie Jaworski. “That was really hard.”

That increases his chances of developing the disease, which fired up Julie Jaworski to raise awareness locally and all the way in Washington, D.C.

“There are no cures out there, there are very little drugs available, so we need people to wake up and help us in this fight because it’s going to impact everybody’s family,” she said. “If you live long enough, you are going to have someone in your family that has this stuff, too.”

It’s something Julie Jaworski plans to keep doing until a cure is found.

“It’s still not around the corner, but I am hopeful,” she said.

For not just her husband, but the world, making her an Everyday Hero.

“She’s a beast in a positive sense,” said Dan Jaworski. “The most compassionate and the most loving person I know.”

Julie Jaworski is hoping to raise $50,000 this year. If you would like to support her efforts, you can donate here.

For information on how to get help or access resources, call the Alzheimer's Association's free 24-hour helpline at 1-800-272-3900.