Coast to Coast Thousands Band Together to Help People with
Parkinson's Live Life to the Fullest
NEW
YORK, March 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The
American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) officially announces
the 2023 schedule for the APDA Optimism Walks -- a nationwide
movement to mobilize and inspire people to step up and help put an
end to Parkinson's disease (PD). There are one million people
living with PD in the United
States, with an average of 240 being diagnosed every day.
With events across the country, the Optimism Walk series brings
thousands of participants together across the country to support
APDA's mission to help every person impacted by PD live life to the
fullest. By raising funds and awareness, every participant is
helping to make a difference for those living with the disease
today and to push for answers that will ultimately make PD a thing
of the past.
The 2023 Optimism Walk season kicks-off this spring on
April 22 in Atlanta, GA, followed by events taking place
in Farmington, CT; Framington, MA;
Williamsburg, VA; and Naperville, IL. Fall Walks include
Roseville, MN; Madison and Green
Bay, WI; Long Island, NY;
Seattle, WA; Boca Raton, FL; Chesterfield, MO; Westport, CT; Des
Moines, IA; Tulsa, OK;
Cape Cod, MA; and Warwick, RI!
What is An Optimism Walk? Every APDA Optimism Walk is a
family-friendly fundraising event that offers a short
non-competitive walk (distance varies by location), music,
educational opportunities, giveaways, fun activities, and more.
Why Walk? Whether you are a person living with PD or a friend or
family member of someone who has been diagnosed, each Optimism Walk
is a positive way to take the frustration and challenges of life
with PD and turn that into motivation, determination, and purpose.
Participants share stories, bond over their shared experiences, and
revel in the camaraderie that often lasts long after the Walk is
over.
"Every Optimism Walk is an important opportunity for friends,
families, and individuals who are affected by PD to come together
and show support, share stories, get a little exercise, and leave
feeling inspired and motivated" states APDA President & CEO
Leslie A. Chambers. "It's an
important chance to bond with others who are similarly connected
and to make a difference. Because the more funds we raise at each
Optimism Walk, the more people we can help every day through
much-needed support groups, exercise classes designed specifically
for people with PD, educational conferences, and so much more."
There is a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease every six
minutes, with more than 90,000 people diagnosed per year and more
than 10 million people living with PD worldwide. And although PD is
typically thought of as an older person's disease, approximately
10% of Parkinson's disease diagnoses occur before age 50.
Once again, corporate partners Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Avion
Pharmaceuticals have joined as National Sponsors of the Optimism
Walk 2023 event series. Representatives from these companies will
be on hand at many of the events to meet members of the PD
community and demonstrate their special commitment to helping
people with PD, families and care partners as they work tirelessly
to bring innovative solutions to those living with this disease.
Their generous support is critical to the success of our
mission.
For a full list of Optimism Walk locations and dates, visit the
Optimism Walk section of the APDA website.
About the American Parkinson Disease Association:
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest
grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson's disease (PD)
and works tirelessly to help the more than one million people in
the US with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this
chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised
and invested more than $226 million
to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs,
elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research
designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to
this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson's disease
and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally
through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral
(I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and
Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at
http://www.apdaparkinson.org
Media Contact
Eloise Caggiano, American
Parkinson Diease Association, 718-737-8151,
ecaggiano@apdaparkinson.org
SOURCE American Parkinson Diease Association