The Trews headline Hamilton's Let's Shake gala fundraiser for Parkinson's

Mar 10, 2017 03:53 by Gord Bowes

April 28 event is fifth organized by Kim Petrie

Fitness coach Jeremy White spots Kim Petrie during one of her five weekly workouts at John Savitis Lean & Fit as she increases her fitness to stave off the effects of Parkinson’s.

This year’s Let’s Shake fundraiser for Parkinson’s research has an extra boost of star power.

The Trews are the headline attraction at the fifth annual event, being held April 28 at Michelangelo’s Banquet Hall.

Landing the Canadian rockers has been a goal of organizer Kim Petrie, but the band’s schedule hasn’t been in sync with her fundraiser.

“I’ve tried for the last two or three years and it never worked out, but this year everything lined up,” she said.

“It’s going to be an up-close and personal event, because of the venue.”

It’s The Trews’ only Golden Horseshoe stop so far in 2017.

Petrie, 51, started Let’s Shake following her Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2011. Because of her age, she focuses on the early onset aspect of the disease because, despite the publicity given to it by actor Michael J. Fox, the public doesn’t understand that Parkinson’s hits people well before their golden years.

“Their view is still that it’s an old man’s disease,” she said.

Petrie said she is doing well and continuing a physical conditioning program five days a week that has somewhat slowed progression of the disease.

“Still, the Parkinson’s is there and it’s knocking at my door every day,” she said.

“I have good days and bad days, and I keep on going. That’s all I can do.”

This year’s event falls on the anniversary of the date she was diagnosed six years ago.

Over the years, Let’s Shake has raised more than $150,000 for research.

It has helped, said Petrie.

Neurologist Dr. Mandar Jog “has done some amazing research and has a couple of very big success stories that he’s going to share at the event in terms of where the money has gone and what he’s been able to do,” said Petrie. “We’re pretty excited about that.”

The Let’s Shake gala also features dinner, music, silent auction and draws. See lets-shake.com.

https://www.hamiltonnews.com/whatson-story/7184334-the-trews-headline-hamilton-s-let-s-shake-gala-fundraiser-for-parkinson-s/