23rd Parkinson’s Unity Walk Set for April 22 in Central Park

The 23rd Parkinson’s Unity Walk will take place on April 22 in New York City’s Central Park, according to The Parkinson Alliance. The walk is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease research in the U.S.

Thousands of patients, caregivers, family, and friends will gather for the walk (or participate from home) to raise money for the cause.

“Together, one day we will achieve our shared goal of ending Parkinson’s disease. There have been advancements in research and therapies, and the Unity Walk is a way to raise funding for research and keep the progress going,” Martin Tuchman, Chairman of The Parkinson Alliance, said in a news release.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive movement disorder, meaning that symptoms (such as tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness, and impaired balance) continue and worsen over time. Nearly one million people in the U.S are living with the disease, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. The cause of PD is unknown.

“Each person diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease will have different symptoms and progression. It is important to be equipped with knowledge about the disease, tools to fight it, and the support of an entire community,” Carol Walton, Executive Director of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk, said. “Join us at the Unity Walk and you will have the opportunity to meet with Parkinson’s organizations, healthcare experts, nationally recognized Parkinson’s disease exercise programs, and movement disorders centers. Watch exercise demonstrations and visit the booths of sponsors to learn about current medical therapies.”

The Parkinson’s Unity Walk, which began in 1994 through the dedicated efforts of patients and families, supports those with Parkinson’s, and has also funded hundreds of research projects. All funds raised will go to research projects supported by: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, American Parkinson Disease Association, National Parkinson Foundation and Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (divisions of the Parkinson’s Foundation), The Parkinson Alliance, and the Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center.

Sponsors include Acorda Therapeutics, Abbott, Impax Laboratories, AbbVie, CurePSP, NeuroDerm, GE Healthcare, Lundbeck, LSVT Global, Medtronic, UCB, and US WorldMeds.

For more information on how to register or donate, go to the Parkinson’s Unity Walk website.