For Immediate Release
Contact: Carol Walton
Parkinson’s Unity Walk
1-866-PUW-WALK
(1-866-789-9255) for photographs or more information
Parkinson’s Unity Walk Raises Awareness of Parkinson’s Disease
New York City, New York
April 14, 2002
Eight 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 this debilitating disease. On Sunday, April 14th, close to 6,000 walkers gathered in sunny Central Park to participate in a two-mile walk to carry on Margot’s vision.
The opening ceremonies featured noted broadcaster Dr. Frank Field, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Margot Zobel, Martin Tuchman, Chairman, Evan Stern, President, Robin Elliott, Executive Director of Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Michael J. Fox, and Joan I. Samuelson, Esq., President of Parkinson’s Action Network. Additionally, title sponsors Pharmacia Corporation and Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of MIRAPEX ® (pramipexole dihydrochlodride tablets) presented the first ever MIRAPEX ® Victories Research Award. Designed to encourage scientists who are committed to neurological research in the field of Parkinson’s disease, the $10,000 grant was presented to M. Flint Beal, M.D., Neurologist-in-Chief at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Professor and Chairman of Neurology at Cornell University Medical College.
Festivities prior to and after the walk included live music by the The Dom Minasi Septet, 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.
Pharmacia Corporation 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, Novartis, and Sony. Gold sponsors included: The Citigroup Private Bank, Credit Suisse|First Boston, Interpool, Evan & Sandra Stern Foundation, Charles & Vivian Sukenik Philanthropic Foundation, and Wakefern/ShopRite Food Corp. Silver sponsors included: Kenneth Aidekman Philanthropic Foundation, Dupont, Prime Realty, and Staples. Bronze sponsors included: BMW of Manhattan, Medtronic, Sulzberger Foundation, SYMS, Time Warner Cable of NYC, and The Weather Channel.
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 Disease Foundation, the Parkinson Alliance, the Parkinson’s Institute, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and the Parkinson’s Action Network.
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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