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 More Than $1 Million
6,000 Participants Generate Record-Setting Figure
New York City…June 19, 2002 – At a Tuesday, June 18th reception Parkinson’s Unity Walk chairman Martin Tuchman announced that the April 14th event in Central Park raised more than one million dollars from participants and sponsors. The amount represents the 8th Unity Walk that has raised more money than any previous event. This money is used for Parkinson’s research and distributed to 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.
The Board of Directors of Parkinson’s Unity Walk hosted the reception to thank several hundred organizers, sponsors and volunteers for producing the most successful event in its eight-year history. The reception, held in New York City Hall’s historic Council Chambers, featured cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a brief program, and desserts. Parkinson’s Unity Walk president Evan Stern thanked sponsors and volunteers for their dedication. Tuchman announced the fundraising figure to an enthusiastic audience and read a letter issued by City Council Speaker Gifford Miller which expressed his “deep respect and admiration for the magnificent work of the organizers, sponsors and volunteers who have made Parkinson’s Unity Walk such a success.” Parkinson’s Unity Walk co-founder Ken Aidekman honored founder Margot Zobel for her dedication in launching the now-annual event and presented her with the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award. After a stirring address Zobel received a warm and animated standing ovation.
Six thousand people participated in the two-mile walk in Central Park on April 14th to fund research into a cure for the progressive, incurable neurological disorder from which approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer, with 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Parkinson’s Unity Walk began nine years ago when 200 friends, family members and fellow Parkinson’s patients joined Zobel.
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.