More than 400 bicyclists began their three-day journey on Friday morning from Simpsonville, South Carolina, participating in the Ride to End ALZ. The event aims to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research, with cyclists riding in honor of loved ones affected by the disease.
Riders Honor Loved Ones Affected by Alzheimer’s
Many of the participants are riding in memory of family members who have battled Alzheimer’s, while others are motivated by the desire to help find a cure. One of the riders, Scott Roark, shared his personal connection to the cause, having lost his mother, Joyce, after a 16-year battle with the disease.
Roark recalls a pivotal moment when he realized that his mother’s condition wouldn’t improve: “She was at my house at that time, and she couldn’t remember where the bathroom was,” Roark said. “It was slow onset, but then I did a little homework and realized, this isn’t gonna get any better.”
A Personal Mission for Jeremy Saylor
Another rider, Jeremy Saylor, participates in the ride for his young children. Saylor, who initially joined the event as a challenge, now serves as the Ride Committee Chair. He hopes to raise awareness and educate his children about Alzheimer’s disease. “I ride for my kids, they’re six and three, and they don’t know what Alzheimer’s is yet,” he said. “But my hope is that someday we can tell them what Alzheimer’s was, and how we raised a lot of money over the years to eliminate and eradicate it from the world.”
The Journey and Impact
The Ride to End ALZ spans three days, with cyclists making stops along the way. The first stop is at Newberry College, 65 miles from Simpsonville. On the second day, riders continue 94 miles to Orangeburg, before completing the final 101-mile stretch to Charleston.
The event brings attention to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, which affects 7 million Americans aged 65 and older, including 112,500 South Carolinians. The funds raised from the ride will go toward the Alzheimer’s Association’s mission to advance research and provide support for those living with the disease.
Supporting the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Beth Sulkowski, Vice President of Communications for the Alzheimer’s Association South Carolina Chapter, explained that the ride helps support the fight against Alzheimer’s through both awareness and fundraising. The Ride to End ALZ is just one of many efforts to combat the disease and provide resources to those affected.
