Hi walkers and fundraisers!

I want to tell everyone about the power of Facebook. It is a wonderful way to publicize the Parkinson's Unity Walk.

Recently I posted on my F-book page some photos taken at past Walks. The response was surprising.

Within minutes, various friends commented that they'd like to participate in the Parkinson's Unity Walk. The photos included no promotional information; my captions did not say anything like "join me at the 2010 Walk." I simply showed people enjoying themselves in Central Park.

A picture is definitely work a thousand words

Facebook has other features that can be beneficial for all of us who want to attract attention to the Walk and the cause (raising money for PD research).

Once my photos were posted on my Facebook "wall," I tagged people shown in the photos which means that the photos were put on the walls of those people. That action then allows all the F-book friends of those people to see the photos ... and to see a glimpse of the Parkinson's Unity Walk ... and to then consider supporting the cause.

We can also "tag" the Parkinson's Unity Walk and then the photos will appear on the Walk's F-book page.

Every time a positive image of the PUW is seen, awareness is raised which prompts action (donation of money, walking at the event, telling someone about the Walk, etc., etc.).

I've been supporting the Walk since 1997 and I'm looking forward to this year's Walk.

Feel free to look for me on Facebook and check out the photos.

See you in Central Park on April 24.

Jocelyn Thomas
- daughter of a person with Parkinson's
- officer on the Parkinson's Unity Walk board

Hi Jocelyn,
Thanks for sharing your experience. You could be a poster child for Facebook. It shows the power of social media. You were able to reach more people than you ever would have been able to if you used the tried and true email blast to your friends and families. Some of them you know and others you don't. It is so helpful when your friends spread their word about the Walk on their facebook page to their friends and the word keeps spreading. There is value in using all these options - facebook, email campaigns, word of mouth and distributing our brochures. I hope others share their experiences as well. Keep up the good work and best of luck with your fundraising efforts!
Helaine Isaacs
Event Director
Parkinson's Unity Walk