For Immediate Release
Contact: Carol Walton
Parkinson’s Unity Walk
1-866-PUW-WALK
(1-866-789-9255) cwalton@parkinsonalliance.net
Parkinson’s Unity Walk Raises Awareness of Parkinson’s Disease
New York City, New York
Nine years ago, the Parkinson’s Unity Walk began with a collection of 200 friends, family members, and fellow Parkinson’s disease patients who supported founder Margot Zobel’s vision of finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. On Saturday, April 26th, despite the light rain, close to 4,000 people gathered in New York City’s Central Park to participate in a two-mile walk to carry on Margot’s vision.
Armed with umbrellas, smiles, and enthusiasm, thousands of spirited individuals gathered in the Bandshell area to listen as Master of Ceremonies, Michelle Charlesworth of WABC introduced Martin Tuchman, Chairman of the Unity Walk, who displayed a proclamation from Mayor Michael Bloomberg declaring April 26th as Parkinson’s Unity Walk day. Ms. Charlesworth then introduced speakers Evan Stern, President; Margot Zobel, Founder; and Mary Jardine, the National Executive Director of Parkinson Society Canada—each with inspiring messages. Dr. Joao Siffert of Pfizer Neurology Group then presented the second annual Mirapex® Victory Research Award. The $10,000 grant, designed to encourage scientists who are committed to neurological research in the field of Parkinson’s disease, was presented to Clifford Shults, MD, of the University of San Diego, for his groundbreaking work with co-enzyme Q10. Joan Samuelson, Esq., President of the Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney, Founder and Chair of The Congressional Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease, gave passionate speeches interrupted several times by applause. The audience was also charmed and delighted with special guest appearances by actress, Kim Cattrall, actress Robin Strasser, International Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine Helen Gurley Brown, and from The Weather Channel, Jim and Tamra Cantore.
After the speeches, the 2-mile circular walk began. Festivities prior to and after the Walk included live music by the Persuasions, activities for children—such as face painting, balloons, and sign making—the latest information on Parkinson’s from major U.S. foundations and corporate sponsors, and an “Ask the Doctor” area with Parkinson’s medical experts answering questions.
Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of MIRAPEX ® (pramipexole dihydrochlodride tablets) used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, were premier sponsors of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk. Platinum sponsors included: JP Morgan Chase, Medtronic, Inc., Novartis, and Titan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Gold sponsors included: Sony, Evan & Sandra Stern, and The Tuchman Foundation. Silver sponsors included: Kenneth Aidekman Philanthropic Foundation, Eric & Marianne Billings Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline, Hospital Corporation of American (HCA), Interpool, Inc., Staples, and Charles & Vivian Sukenik Philanthropic Foundation. Bronze sponsors included: Credit Suisse First Boston and Prime Realty Services, Inc.
All proceeds raised from the Walk are designated for Parkinson’s research and will be distributed among the major U.S. Parkinson’s disease foundations, including the American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the National Parkinson’s Foundation, the Parkinson’s Action Network, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the Parkinson Alliance, and the Parkinson’s Institute.
For more information, please contact the Parkinson’s Unity Walk at 633 Third Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10017; Phone: (toll free) 1-866-PUW-WALK (1-866-789-9255; Fax: 609-688-0875; E-mail: info@unitywalk.org; Web: www.unitywalk.org.
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