March 30, 2016
BUFFALO - April is National Parkinson's Awareness Month, and the National Parkinson Foundation of Western New York is working to raise awareness of the growing presence of the disease in the region. Among the efforts will be the appearance of blue light bulbs glowing inside and outside of area homes. NPFWNY worked with Lowe's in ordering these blue bulbs, and the organization is making them available to anyone who wishes to help raise awareness during April.
Tens of thousands of people in western New York have been affected by Parkinson's disease, and a 2010 National Institutes of Health study showed that portions of the region lead the nation in the prevalence of Parkinson's diagnoses.
The idea for the blue bulbs came after a number of local landmarks agreed to a blue lighting of their own to help raise awareness.
"It just seemed natural to take the concept of this blue lighting to the very people who are affected by the disease," said Chris Jamele, NPFWNY executive director.
The bulbs can be used in driveway, porch and entryway lights - or most any fixture - in helping to increase awareness for an affliction that hits Western New York extremely hard. The bulbs are available through the NPFWNY office for $3 per bulb or $25 for 10.
"We are hoping to get the families, friends and neighbors of our Parkinsonians to use the bulbs, thereby creating a beautiful blue glow throughout our neighborhoods," continued Jamele.
The idea has proven to be popular not only in the Buffalo area, but the Greater Rochester chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation is purchasing a number of bulbs from NPFWNY to make available in their community as well.
According to NPFWNY Board president Vicky Glamuzina, "This isn't a huge fundraiser for us. It is more of a chance to bring the message about Parkinson's closer to the people who have been affected by it or might one day be diagnosed."
Among the local landmarks that will be lit in blue during April are Niagara Falls, the Peace Bridge, the Electric Tower and the Central Dome at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.
NPFWNY works to improve the quality of life for the Parkinson's community throughout Western New York. Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no cure. April has been recognized as National Parkinson's Awareness Month by Congressional resolution in 2013. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recognized the designation for New York state in 2014, and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown proclaimed the designation in Buffalo in 2015. Anyone interested in purchasing the blue light bulbs should call the NPFWNY office at 449-3795 or e-mail cjamele@npfwny.org.
http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/635773/Blue-light-bulbs-available-for-Parkinson-s-Awareness-Month.html?nav=5053
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