The first Alzheimer’s Association California Southland Chapter’s 2016 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team Captain Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Rick Ferrante, owner of Home Care Services will host the Team Captain meeting at 23340 Cinema Drive, Suite 5, Santa Clarita.

Representatives from the SCV Walk Committee and the Alzheimer’s Association will be in attendance. Rick says “This is going to be a great evening and a chance to help our Team Captains build their teams and raise funds. We really appreciate everyone who is stepping forward and helping make The Walk to End Alzheimer’s a success”.

The 2016 Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 8th at Bridgeport Park, Valencia. Registration is open at act.alz.org/scv.

Karen Spalter who is organizing ‘Team Make a Difference’ will be attending the Team Captain meeting. This is Karen’s second year of participation. Her husband Matt was diagnosed with early onset front temporal dementia in 2012.

She and Matt have experienced all stages of emotions that come with the diagnosis from denial and disbelief to depression and finally acceptance. Karen says “I joined the local Alzheimer’s Association support group and found guidance and valuable information to guide me through this journey”.

Abi Caruthers is founder of a local business called “L.O.V.E. Weight Loss” and has signed on as a sponsor for The Walk. She also plans to be at the meeting.

When Abi’s grandmother, whom she calls Nana started to display symptoms of dementia she ignored them hoping it would just go away. Eventually it progressed and was diagnosed as Alzheimer’s Disease. In the business of helping people but unable to help her Nana, she felt helpless.

Abi believes that being involved with the Alzheimer’s Association and The Walk relieves that feeling of helplessness and gives her hope and direction.

Walk Chair Mr. Ferrante adds “Abi Caruthers of L.O.V.E Weight Loss really understands what it means to be a part of the Santa Clarita community. And how important it is to support the Alzheimer’s Association. We really appreciate Abi and her team for their participation.”

Supporting the work the Alzheimer’s Association does to assist patients and their families is important to Abi and Karen. Both feel that although it may to too late for their loved ones it is especially necessary to fundraise and contribute to the research to find a cure.

Please contact Anita Smith at anita@anitasmithhomes or 661-803-8498 for information about the meeting or starting a team.

For general information including sponsoring or exhibiting at the The Walk please contact Rick Ferrante, SCV Walk Chair, at rferrante@homecaresantaclarita.com or Brian Welch, Senior Walk Manager, Alzheimer’s Association at bwelch@alz.org.