Over 600 “Step Out Walk To Stop Diabetes” participants, including volunteers, walkers, runners, dogs, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and other celebrities, trudged the hills of the Six Flags Magic Mountain early Saturday morning to raise money for the American Diabetes Association.

“We are so happy to see the enthusiastic support for the American Diabetes Association in Santa Clarita,” said Julian Dillon, the Association’s interim executive director for Southern California. “Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes is such a wonderful event for supporters to come together and help change the future of diabetes. The camaraderie and spirit that is enjoyed by participating in this event is priceless.”

Related: ‘Step Out Walk To Stop Diabetes’ To Be Held At Six Flags Magic Mountain Saturday

Over the last 27 years, thousands of Santa Clarita residents have participated in the “Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.” And for the 2nd year in a row, Six Flags hosted the event, giving those in attendance an early breakfast and light lunch.

Over 600 individuals participated in the “Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes” event at Magic Mountain on Saturday.

Additionally, those individuals that raised $100 or more received a t-shirt and free ticket to Six Flags Magic Mountain, according to event organizers.

Officials have estimated that nearly 10 percent of adults in Los Angeles County have diabetes and researchers from UCLA have found that an additional 46 percent of California adults have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic.

“In total, we have almost 30 million people in the United States living with diabetes and that is an epidemic rate,” said ADA Development Manager, Laura Kirchhoff. “All these walkers have an interest in finding a cure for diabetes, whether it’s for a family member, a friend or even themselves.”

Participants of all ages and backgrounds raised funds and walked throughout both Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor alongside various celebrities and entertainment figures including Jack McGee, Nathan Arenas and Elliott Yamin.

Additionally, standing head and shoulders over nearly every participant, Lakers’ small forward Corey Brewer joined those walking to for a cure.

Participants could either walk, run or jog the course. Some attendees even brought along their pets.

This is not the first diabetes related event that Brewer has attended, as these types of events are important to him because of how the disease has affected him personally.

“My mother and my father both had diabetes, and the American Diabetes Association is a great organization so I had to come out,” said Brewer. “I did a bike ride a couple of years ago for the organization, so anything I can do for finding a cure to diabetes, I’m always willing.”

Related: Santa Clarita Valley Residents Step Out In Support Of Diabetes

Right alongside Brewer for the entirety of the walk was Gavin Delong an 11-year -old Saugus resident and a veteran participant of “Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.”

Gavin Delong, an 11-year-old Saugus resident and Red Strider, poses with NBA player, Corey Brewer. Delong and Brewer were side-by-side for the entire walk.

Delong is also a “Red Strider,” someone living with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes that walks and raises funds for “Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes” as an individual or part of a team.

“It was really fun and I was just really starstruck and happy because it’s not every day you get to walk beside a really tall person,” said Delong. “I’m diabetic, and I’ve done two of these walks because they’re important.”

And it’s these very “Red Striders” that volunteers say bring them out year after year, rain or shine, to assist in organizing these walks.

“I lost my father due to complications with diabetes and it runs in the family,” said Danielle Osby, a volunteer for ADA events since 2006. “I do not have a lot of money, but I do have time, heart and hands and that can help translate into finding a cure for those with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.”

The volunteers, individuals, sponsors and participants all contributed to the $200,000 already raised for the ADA by the walk, but the effort continues until the end of the year, according to Dillon.

“We’re hoping to end this year with around $250,000,” concluded Kirchhoff.

Next year’s event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in connection with the Association’s Tour de Cure at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Center in Irwindale.

“This will be a large-scale event where supporters can walk, run or ride to stop diabetes,” said Dillon.

Registration is open here.

For more information about “Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes” and how to donate, visit their website here.

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