Jul 12 2008
Take One Step Closer
Step Up and Support the Parkinson’s Unity Walk
(ARA) - In the time it takes you to boil pasta, make a pot of coffee, or write a quick e-mail, one more person has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease — possibly someone you know. Every nine minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with this potentially devastating illness.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition, impacting movement, which can be debilitating. It affects one million Americans with approximately 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. 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 grants and fundraisers, such as the Parkinson’s Unity Walk.
The Parkinson’s Unity Walk was created in 1994 to bring greater awareness and understanding of the disease. The event unites the strength and spirit of the entire Parkinson’s disease community.
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 there were 200 participants. In 2007, more than 10,000 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.
“Raising money for research on behalf of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk is just one way to bring us one step closer to finding a cure,” says Marlene Kahan, a Walk participant diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago. “The commitment and passion of the Parkinson’s community is truly inspirational.”
Since its inception, the Walk has made a significant impact, raising more than $7 million for research. 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.
A single step can change the life of a person with Parkinson’s disease. Together, the Unity Walk and Boehringer Ingelheim, the proud partner and premier sponsor for the eighth year, continue to work to achieve greater awareness of Parkinson’s disease.
Join the battle and help support the fight. This year the Parkinson’s Unity Walk will take place on Saturday, April 26. To join the Walk or donate, please visit www.unitywalk.org or call (866) PUW-WALK (789-9255).
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Tags: awareness, fundraisers, Parkinson's, Parkinson's Unity Walk
(ARA) – Getting the flu can have serious consequences, especially for children. Every year, children in the United States get extremely ill and some die from influenza (“the flu”) and its complications. Richard Kanowitz knows this all too well — he and his wife Alissa lost their 4-year-old daughter, Amanda, to the flu four years [...]
Of the 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, 80 percent are women, and having a mother with osteoporosis puts a daughter particularly at risk for fractures.
Priscilla Turner, 67, of Memphis, Tenn., knows this risk all too well. Her 90-year-old mother, Jewell Fondren, suffers from osteoporosis (a disease that causes bone to become weak and susceptible to [...]