AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION WALK: 8 a.m. Oct. 10, LSUS campus. Registration is free. nwlaheartwalk.org.

RUN WITH THE NUNS: 8 a.m. Oct. 17, Red River District. runwiththenuns.com.

AUTISM TREATMENT

LSU Health Shreveport is now enrolling patients in Phase III clinical trials for CM-AT, a treatment for autism. CM-AT is developed by Curemark LLC, a drug research and development company focused on the treatment of neurological diseases. CM-AT is based on Curemark’s recent research that showed enzyme deficiencies in some autistic children result in an inability to digest protein. The inability to digest protein affects the production of amino acids, the building blocks of chemicals essential for brain function. LSU Health Shreveport is one of 25 sites across the country conducting the CM-AT clinical trials. Contact the Psychopharmacology Research Clinic at 813-2070 or 1-866-779-2546.

VISION EVALUATIONS

Louisiana Association for the Blind and Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding to provide low vision evaluations and low vision rehabilitation services to qualified individuals in Northwest Louisiana, including Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Red River, DeSoto, Natchitoches and Sabine parishes. Individuals with visual impairment identified by an LLEF-participating Lions club will be referred to LAB’s Low Vision Rehabilitation Center pending an eye exam provided by a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist. An individualized assistance program will be developed by LAB’s low-vision rehabilitation personnel based on the client’s needs.

CELEBRATING CAREGIVERS

The third annual Family Caregivers’ Celebration is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 6 at Hamilton/South Caddo Branch Library, 2111 Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, Shreveport.

During November, National Family Caregivers’ Month, events to honor and recognize the more than 65 million family caregivers occur around the nation. The tradition was established by President Clinton in 1997 who signed the first proclamation honoring family caregiving. This year family caregivers may enter the Caregiver of the Year Contest. To enter they should have been unpaid caregivers to their family member for more than a year. Applicants should write a story of 500 words or less about personal experiences caring for an aging or ill parent, spouse, sibling, child or other family member. Entries must be submitted to www. [email protected] through Oct. 15.

More information can be obtained by writing to the same address. The contest is sponsored by Darcy Henagan Insurance Agency. The contest winner will be announced at the Nov. 6 event. The feature speaker, Gary Calligas, is publisher of The Best of Times Magazine, host of THE BEST OF TIMES RADIO HOUR each Saturday on 710KEEL and writer of a weekly column, “Senior Living” for The Shreveport Times. Local author and former caregiver, Bonita Bandaries and representatives from community agencies host this free event to pay tribute to family caregivers. Donations of can goods for the NWLA Food Bank will be accepted. Contact Bonita Bandaries at 402.5618 or www. [email protected].