Aug 20 2009
On foot and online, step up for Parkinson’s Disease
(ARA) – Every April people living with Parkinson’s disease, along with their families and friends, gather in New York City’s Central Park to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease research. At the first walk in 1994 there were 200 participants. In 2009, more than 10,000 people came from across the United States to fight to cure Parkinson’s disease and to connect with others whose lives are affected by the disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition, impacting movement, which can be debilitating. It affects 1 million Americans, with approximately 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year — one every nine minutes. The disease does not discriminate based on ethnic, economic or geographic factors, and while the average age of a person diagnosed with the disease is 60, many are under 50, and some may even be diagnosed as early as 20 years old.
Although the disease generally progresses slowly, over time even the most basic daily routines, like socializing with friends and family members, earning a living, and taking care of a home, may be affected. As the disease progresses, activities of daily living, like brushing one’s teeth or buttoning a shirt, may gradually require more assistance. In addition, people with Parkinson’s disease may also experience loss of facial expression, impaired speech, loss of mobility, and difficulty swallowing.
Although there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, research continues aggressively with the help of fundraisers, such as the Parkinson’s Unity Walk.
The Parkinson’s Unity Walk is an annual event where the entire Parkinson’s community gathers with the goal of not only raising awareness of the condition, but of raising donations for research. The event unites the strength and spirit of the seven major Parkinson’s disease organizations: American Parkinson Disease Association, National Parkinson Foundation, Parkinson’s Action Network, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, The Parkinson Alliance and the Parkinson’s Institute.
This year marked the 15th anniversary of the initial gathering of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk. The annual event, a two-mile walk and educational community day in Central Park, took place on Saturday April 25.
Together, the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., the proud partner and premier sponsor for the ninth year, continue to support Parkinson’s disease awareness and partner in the development of needed tools. Understanding that, given the current economic climate, many people who wanted to attend the event in Central Park this year may not have been able to do so, the pair teamed up to create the first ever Virtual Parkinson’s Unity Walk. This year, participants can walk virtually with the thousands of others who walked in Central Park on April 25, by signing up at www.unitywalk.org. The Web site includes an interactive map of the United States that will highlight the locations of “virtual walkers,” helping to illustrate the far-reaching impact of the Unity Walk and Parkinson’s disease.
“The Unity Walk provides a great outlet and tremendous resource for those of us who are touched by the disease,” says Marlene Kahan, a Walk participant diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease nearly five years ago. “Whether at home or in Central Park, a single step can truly change the life of a person with Parkinson’s disease. When we walk, we remind ourselves that we’re not alone, that together we will find a cure.”
With 100 percent of donations given to research, the Walk provides the public with a direct opportunity to help the Parkinson’s disease community and change the lives of the millions of people affected. Since its inception, the Walk has made a significant impact, raising more than $10 million for research.
To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, the organization is asking donors to consider “stepping it up” by increasing their donations by $15 or 15 percent over the amount donated in 2008. As an incentive, donors who are able to increase donations by this amount will be eligible to participate in a raffle drawing for a dream vacation, valued at $5,000. In addition, all fundraisers who raise $1,000 or more will receive a custom 18-ounce travel mug with a full color photo of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk.
Join the battle and help support the fight. For information on this year’s Walk, to join the Virtual Parkinson’s Unity Walk or to donate, please visit www.unitywalk.org or call (866) PUW-WALK (789-9255).
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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