About PUW

The Parkinson's Unity Walk (PUW), a grassroots organization, began in 1994 through the dedicated efforts of patients, families, support groups, and friends who were affected by Parkinson's disease. Their main goal was to raise awareness and funds for research to find a cure for Parkinson's.

Over the last eighteen years, the Unity Walk has grown from 200 participants in the first event to over to 10,000 participants in the 2012 Walk. The funds raised for the Walk have also dramatically increased with each passing year. In 1994, the Unity Walk raised $16,000 in research funds, and in 2012 over $1,800,000 was raised for Parkinson’s research. Over $12,000,000 has been raised since the Walk's inception.

Generous donations of time and service to the Walk have expanded fund-raising and awareness well beyond earlier expectations. Donations from the Unity Walk have gone to support research for the following major U.S. Parkinson's foundations:


The Parkinson's Unity Walk directs donated funds to increase research to find a cure. Six of the seven participating organizations use the dollars they receive to fund specific research studies. The Parkinson's Action Network seeks to maximize federal funding of Parkinson's research through a concerted nationwide advocacy effort.

From the very beginning, 100% all of the donations raised by walkers and contributors has been and continues to be designated for research. Corporate sponsors and individual research foundations fund the operating expenses of the PUW.  The Parkinson’s Unity Walk is a (501)(c)(3) organization – E.I.#13-3842415.

Visit Where Your Money Goes to view the PUW Funds Research Grants.

You may use the links below to learn more about the Walk or to send information to potential donors and sponsors:

About PUW (PDF)
About PD (PDF)
Contact Information (PDF)
2013 Press Release 5/21/13 (PDF)
2013 Press Release 4/22/13 (PDF)
PUW Newsletter (PDF)
PUW Photo page
PUW Video

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Board Members

Carol Walton: Executive Director
Kenneth Aidekman: Co-founder and Past Chair
Martin Tuchman: Chairman
Bob Ubell: President
Denny P. Jacobson: VP and Treasurer
Jocelyn Thomas: VP and Secretary
Evan Stern:  Past President
David Anekstein
Dr. Robert Burke
Terry Drucker
Dr. J. William Langston
Lupe McCann
James J. McNasby
Carol Perlman

Tributes to our Founder, Margot Zobel click here.