Community News

2008 Parkinson's Unity Walk Hosts Over 10,000 Participants

- Apr 30 2008

Early on the morning of April 26, 2008, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) Pacers joined 10,000 other members of the Parkinson’s community for the 14th Annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk in New York City’s Central Park.

The crowd gathered as early at 10 AM for a full day of educational and community building events – all culminating with a 1.7 mile walk. Led by members of PDF’s People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council and donning green team t-shirts, the Pacers Team joined a crowd of all ages, who wore team shirts of every color, held signs of support and sported painted faces - all in support of a cure and of loved ones living every day with Parkinson’s.

Walkers spent the morning visiting informational booths, such as one led by PDtrials, which educated participants about the important of clinical research, and another called Ask the Doctor, which made leading physicians available for open questions to people with PD and their families.

At noon, the Unity Walk Program began in the Park’s Bandshell area. The Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award, annually presented an individual who has made significant contributions to the Parkinson’s community, this year was bestowed upon Marlene Kahan. Ms. Kahan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s three and a half years ago. Since then, she has grown her own Unity Walk team, Team Mag Queen, and helped to develop a successful public service announcement about Parkinson’s in conjunction with Carol Walton, CEO of the New Jersey-based Parkinson Alliance, and Maryum ‘May May’ Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali.

After the ceremony, people with PD, their families, friends and other supporters, began the walk around the southern loop of Central Park. A sunny and beautiful day, the entire event brought together all parts of the PD community. It also raised over $1.6 million for Parkinson’s research, supporting the research programs of several national Parkinson’s organizations, including PDF.

PDF is proud to participate in the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and thanks all team members and visitors to our tables for their participation! PDF expresses special thanks to its People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council (PPAC) and Pacers Captain, Bruce Talbot.

Source Date: Apr 30 2008