Friends Pedaling for Parkinson’s Reach New Milestone, Raise $1M for Research

Peter Istvan and David Newall founded “Pedaling for Parkinson’s” in 2011 as an annual cycling fundraising event to support Parkinson’s Canada and the Parkinson’s disease (PD) community.

This year, “Pedaling for Parkinson’s” reached a new cumulative milestone, raising more than $1 million, which was made possible with the help of riders, volunteers, and sponsors.

According to a press release, the two friends began pedaling after being inspired by David’s father and a close friend of Peter’s, both of whom have Parkinson’s.

The cycling event spans three days, during which cyclists pedal over 100,000 strokes, one for each person living with Parkinson’s in Canada.

More than 100,000 Canadians have Parkinson’s in Canada, and about 6,600 new cases are diagnosed each year, most of them over the age of 60.

Although the disease affects both genders, men are more likely to develop the disease, with the risk increasing with age.

Parkinson Canada offers a wide range of materials to help individuals, families and health professionals learn about Parkinson’s disease. Operating since 1965, Parkinson Canada provides support services and education to the Parkinson’s community, and advocates on issues that concern Parkinson’s patients in Canada.

The funds raised from Pedaling for Parkinson’s benefit innovative research projects sponsored by Parkinson Canada through its Parkinson Canada Research Program.

Since 1981, the Parkinson Canada Research Program has invested over $26 million in funding for research by established and young investigators; discovery stage research to test new theories and pursue promising leads; young scholars starting their careers to foster the next generation of Parkinson’s researchers; and over 503 awards, fellowships, and grants in the field.

As of September 2016, Parkinson Canada and its partners were able to support 19 new grants, fellowships, and student awards, totaling $1,124,018 for new research projects in Canada through June 30, 2018.

The latest grants awarded by the organization include seven pilot projects, three new investigator awards, three basic research fellowships, one clinical research fellowship, one clinical movement disorders fellowship, and four graduate student awards.

To follow the developments and advances funded by “Pedaling for Parkinson’s” subscribe to Parkinson’s News Today and receive the latest updates directly in your email inbox.