The 2016 SCV Walk to End Alzheimer’s is planned for October.

The event will be held at Bridgeport Park in Valencia on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and the festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. The walk will begin at 10:00 a.m.

“My Nan has Alzheimer’s,” said Abi Caruthers of L.O.V.E. Weight Loss. “It has been very emotional for my whole family to watch her progress further into it, and it is so traumatic for her daughter’s when she can’t remember who they are. It is devastating.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. One in three seniors die with Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia and it is the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Ms. Caruthers understands the impact of this disease first hand.

“My grandmother was practically a second mom to me and watching her wasting away knowing there isn’t anything we can physically do for her. If we can find a cure, then maybe we can save some other people’s grandmas and grandpas, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, etc,” she said.

“While L.O.V.E. Weight Loss is not a large organization, they are sponsoring the Walk at a level that those much larger organizations do. This is a wonderful gift given by Abi and her team,” said Rick Ferrante, chair of the Santa Clarita Walk to End Alzheimer’s. “Helping people is a central part of the mission for L.O.V.E. Weight Loss and supporting the Alzheimer’s Association fits right into that philosophy.”

L.O.V.E. Weight Loss is a science based, long-term weight loss program designed to help people get to their ideal size or weight, and stay their permanently. Abi Caruthers is the owner and has been a dedicated supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association here in our community.

More than 30 local individuals and companies have been providing their time and energy to host the Santa Clarita Walk to End Alzheimer’s on October 8 at Bridgeport Park. The Walk will include local entertainment, vendors and attractions as well as an opening ceremony and short walk around Bridgeport Park. Teams are forming now to participate in the walk and raise funds in support of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“This is a community coming together to support the Alzheimer’s Association whose mission is to provide education about the disease, support those who have been diagnosed along with their caregivers, and to find a cure. And keep in mind that is our walk,” said Ferrante. “It is a local effort. Santa Clarita’s way to show support for families in our community as they deal with the challenges of this disease. The ultimate goal is to find a cure, and we also need so support those living with it until that happens.”

The Walk Committee is connected with the SCV Alzheimer’s Awareness Project which Caruthers has also been contributing to as the chair of educational events.

“The “Project” is a group of passionate people who are dedicated to raising awareness about the support that exists for those suffering from Alzheimer’s in the Santa Clarita Valley,” Caruthers said. I” love being on the committee because these people I’m working with are awesome, passionate about making a difference, and really care about the community Do it. You are supporting a wonderful group of people, who really need serious help and it’s time. Off the fence you get.”

For sponsorship information contact Janet Pierson via email at piersonjm252@gmail.com

For general information contact the Walk Chair, Rick Ferrante via email at rferrante@homecaresantaclarita.com