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14th Annual Parkinson's Unity Walk Most Successful Event to Date
Friday, May 09, 2008
First Time Ubell Prize Announced to Recognize Outstanding Journalism in Support of Parkinson's Disease and Other Motion Disorders Awareness and Understanding
NEW YORK, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Although the weatherman predicted rain,
that did not impede more than 10,000 people from joining together in New
York's Central Park on Saturday, April 26th to unite as a passionate and
dedicated community to raise money and spirits for Parkinson's disease
research.
The crowd has been growing since 1994, when Margot Zobel founded the Walk
to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease and funds for Parkinson's research.
"There were only 200 people walking that day -- but we felt we were making
history. We raised $16,000, and, as we had pledged, every penny was turned
over to research," stated Margot.
After inspiring speeches from Former Attorney General Janet Reno and
Maryum "May May" Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter, among others, prize drawings
and announcement of the top teams and individual fundraisers, thousands of
people and more than 400 teams carrying signs of support and hope, walked
along the tree-lined, wheelchair-accessible, 2-mile circular path under blue
skies, sunshine, and gentle breezes.
Since its inception, the Unity Walk has built upon the success of each
previous year, increasing Parkinson's awareness, and much-needed funds for
research, making it the largest grassroots event for Parkinson's disease. This
year's Walk is proving to be the most successful yet, and with still another
full month left for people to donate for 2008, there is no doubt that the
amount raised will continue to increase.
Credited with helping increase awareness and the amount of money raised
this year is the "One Step Closer" fundraising guide, which provides helpful
tips and tools to support fundraising efforts. Designed in partnership with
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., the proud partner and premier
sponsor for the eighth year, the guide 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.
In addition to having a landmark year for fundraising, this was a year of
many firsts for the Walk. It was announced that the Ubell Prize for Parkinson
Journalism Award, an annual $10,000 award, would be given to a journalist for
outstanding contributions to the public understanding of Parkinson's disease
and related movement disorders. The award was established to honor the memory
of Earl Ubell, a distinguished science and medicine writer who died last year
of Parkinson's at the age of 80.
Also for the first time this year, the Unity Walk was broadcasted through
a live webcast, allowing people around the country 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. The webcast can
be viewed for a year on the Unity Walk website.
And, as pledged since the inception of the Walk, every penny raised
continues to go directly to Parkinson's research. This is made possible
through the Unity Walk's Premier Sponsor and Proud Partner, Boehringer
Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., the National Sponsor, The Weather Channel, Our
Double Diamond Sponsor, Teva Neuroscience, Our Diamond Sponsors, UCB Group and
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, and others including: Advanced
Neuromodulation Systems (ANS), LSVT Global, Medtronic, Novartis and
PatientsLikeMe.
All funds raised from the Walk are designated for research and will be
distributed among the major U.S. Parkinson's disease foundations, including
the American Parkinson Disease Association, the National Parkinson Foundation,
The Parkinson Alliance, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, The Parkinson's
Institute, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and Parkinson's
Action Network.
Parkinson's disease is a gradual neurodegenerative disease that affects
more than one million Americans. To find out more about Parkinson's disease
and the Walk, please visit our website: www.unitywalk.org. You may also call
us at 1-866-PUW-WALK (1-866-789-9255) or email us at info@unitywalk.org.
SOURCE Parkinson's Unity Walk
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