Parkinson's Community Steps Out to Find a Cure at
the 14th Annual Parkinson's Unity Walk
Second most common chronic neurological disorder in
senior citizens after Alzheimer's
April 23, 2008 - The Parkinson's disease community
will unite on Saturday April 26, in New York City's Central Park, in an
effort to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's disease research.
The 14th annual Parkinson's Unity Walk, a two-mile walk and educational
community day, will provide an opportunity to celebrate the more than
one million Americans - primarily senior citizens - that, along with
their friends and families, fight this condition everyday.
Parkinson's disease is the second most common
chronic neurological disorder in older adults after Alzheimer's,
affecting approximately one percent of people over age 60.
"Each year the excitement and participation
continues to grow indicating that a single step can change the life of a
person with Parkinson's. The Parkinson's Unity Walk is more than just a
fundraiser, it gives those living with the disease hope and the promise
towards the future," said Carol Walton, executive director of the
Parkinson's Unity Walk.
Together, the Parkinson's Unity Walk and Boehringer
Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the proud partner and premier sponsor
for the eighth year, continue to support Parkinson's disease awareness
and partner in the development of needed tools.
Together they have designed the "One Step Closer
Guide," a fundraising guide which provides information and tools to
assist individuals in their mission to raise awareness and increase
support of the Parkinson's Unity Walk in their own community. This
unique tool is available free for download at www.unitywalk.org, and
includes creative fundraising ideas, flyers and additional communication
template materials.
As part of Boehringer Ingelheim's commitment a "Tai
Chi for Energy and Renewal" DVD was developed, which was designed, along
with the help of people with Parkinson's, to help support the physical
and mental well-being of those affected by the condition.
At the Parkinson's Unity Walk, Boehringer Ingelheim
will offer participants the opportunity to learn more about Tai Chi and
the benefits it provides, such as potential improved balance and
emotional health. Tai Chi master and DVD instructor, Bill Douglas, will
host a demonstration underneath Boehringer Ingelheim's pink tent in the
park and those who visit the tent may receive a complimentary copy of
the DVD.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn
about a new interactive DVD providing people with Parkinson's disease,
tips on how to customize their homes to help make daily activities, such
as taking a shower, easier and potentially safer.
"It is an honor to once again be the premier
sponsor of the Parkinson's Unity Walk. The Parkinson's Unity Walk
provides the perfect opportunity for Boehringer Ingelheim to continue
our commitment to aide those affected by the condition in their daily
life," commented Paul Fonteyne, executive vice president at Boehringer
Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "This commitment is ongoing through a
variety of targeted programs, such as Tai Chi, which can be experienced
at the Unity Walk."
|
About Parkinson's
Disease
Also called: Paralysis agitans, Shaking palsy
Parkinson's disease is the
second most common chronic neurological disorder in older adults
after Alzheimer's, affecting approximately one percent of people
over age 60. Approximately 15 percent of patients develop
Parkinson's disease before the age of 50.
Every nine minutes someone is
diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease is
a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of
the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson's, neurons
that make a chemical called dopamine die or do not work
properly. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate
your movements. No one knows what damages these cells. Symptoms
of Parkinson's disease may include:
● Trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
● Stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk
● Slowness of movement, shuffling gait
● Poor balance and coordination
● Loss of facial
expression
As symptoms get worse
over time, people with the disease may have trouble walking,
talking or doing simple tasks. They may also have problems such
as depression, sleep problems or trouble chewing, swallowing or
speaking.
Although Parkinson's
usually begins around age 60, it can start earlier. It is more
common in men than in women. There is no cure for Parkinson's
disease. A variety of medicines sometimes help symptoms
dramatically.
>>
More on Parkinson's at MedlinePlus
According to the National Parkinson
Foundation, 1.5 million Americans currently have the
degenerative illness, which strikes men and women in roughly
equal numbers, usually after the age of 65.
>>
More at NPF |
New this year, is a live webcast from Unity Walk,
which will give those who are unable to attend the Unity Walk in person,
not only the chance to experience the spirit and compassion of the
community, but also the opportunity to be engaged and active in the
day's celebration. Participants across the country can connect their
family to the Unity Walk by logging in at www.unitywalk.org beginning at
11:00am (EDT).
"The support felt at this event is so uplifting, it
encourages me to be optimistic and hopeful. Everyone should have the
opportunity to feel this unbelievable passion and emotion that I
experience each year," said Marlene Kahan, a community advocate, Unity
Walk participant and person with Parkinson's disease. "It's a way for
people to come together and for one day create a network of friends and
family that will last for a lifetime of support."
Another first at this year's Unity Walk will be the
announcement of an award honoring Earl Ubell, former vice president of
the Unity Walk Board of Directors and internationally acclaimed medical
and science reporter. The award will be given to a journalist for
outstanding contributions to the public understanding of Parkinson's
disease and related movement disorders. The award is accompanied by a
prize of $10,000.
The Unity Walk is also expected to draw impromptu
attendance by celebrity supporters. To receive more information on
Parkinson's disease and the Parkinson's Unity Walk, or to lend support
and donate to the Parkinson's Unity Walk, please visit www.unitywalk.org
or call 1-866-PUW-WALK (789-9255).
About Parkinson's Unity Walk
Founded in 1994 by Margot Zobel, 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 Parkinson's Unity Walk has
made a significant impact on the Parkinson's disease community since its
inception, raising more than $8 million for Parkinson's research by
uniting the community under a common goal of winning the war against
Parkinson's disease. Support for the walk has grown considerably each
year -- from 200 participants at the first walk in 1994, to more than
10,000 last year.
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. With 100 percent of donations given to research, the Unity
Walk provides the public with an opportunity to help the Parkinson's
community and change the lives of the millions of people suffering from
the disease.
>> Web site:
http://www.unitywalk.org/
>>Register here to view the
PUW webcast.
More links to
news reports about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s Disease Risks Lower with High Levels of
Urate in Blood
Large Harvard study finds potent antioxidant works
against oxidative stress
June 22, 2007
Engineers Say They Now Know How Brain Pacemakers
Help Parkinson’s Patients
Deep brain stimulation erases diseased messages for
thousands
May 31, 2007
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Diabetes, Mad Cow
Similar
at Molecular Level
Protein analysis may offer new diagnoses and
treatment options
April 30, 2007
Parkinson's Treatment Drugs Being Withdrawn, Says
FDA
Permax (pergolide) and two generic versions may
damage heart valves
March 29, 2007
Major Parkinson's Trial Begins Testing Energy
Booster's Ability to Slow the Disease
Creatine to be tested in 52 sites with 1,720
participants
March 22, 2007
Australians Claim Low-Cost Gene Screening for
Parkinson's Disease
Seeks people for gene-sequencing trial,
Australia-wide gene-mapping study
Feb. 23, 2007
Parkinson's Linked to Low LDL Cholesterol
that is Good for Heart
People with Parkinson's have lower rate of heart
attack and stroke
December 20, 2006
Cell Activities that
Protect against Alzheimer's Protein Buildup Found
Findings may lead to new therapies for
Neurodegenerative Diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
August 11, 2006
Researchers find 'Probable Cause' for Parkinson's,
Alzheimer's, other Brain Disorders
June 28, 2006
