PARRY SOUND – Six years ago, just five friends made the trek by bike to Gravenhurst and back in honour of a two friends’ diagnoses of Parkinson’s Disease.
This year, more than 260 “friends” over three days took part in the sixth annual Pedaling for Parkinson’s event raising more than $180,000 this past weekend with a grand total to date just shy of $700,000.
The three-day event has riders trekking across the district, covering up to 130 kilometres each day.
Before heading out for day two of the Pedaling for Parkinson’s ride, riders, volunteers, family, friends and supporters gathered on the back deck outside Canadore College.
“Every single dollar goes to fund a smart, young, motivated research scientist who is trying to figure out how to find a cure for this disease and how to make the lives of those people who suffer more comfortable,” said David Newall, co-organizer. “Peter Istvan runs this event, almost single-handedly. He is an unbelievable friend and an unbelievable person and he needs a hug from each and every one of you today. This is an unbelievable event he puts on….When we started this there were five guys…six years ago we rode to Gravenhurst and back. It’s pretty exciting to see the growth. All of the sponsors are 100 per cent donated so that allows 100 per cent of the funds that you raise to go to the research.”
Istvan said each rider participates for a different reason or for a different person.
“Dave and I started this six years ago, we knew exactly two people who had Parkinson’s - his dad and a friend of mine,” said Istvan. “Through this journey we’ve been able to meet and hear the stories of so many different people with Parkinson’s – it’s truly been inspirational.”
Debbie Davis, CEO of Parkinson Society Centre and Northern Ontario said she was excited to once again attend the event.
“I was telling somebody this morning that I almost feel like I’m coming home when I come here for the weekend…we fund researchers who are doing pilot grants and investigative work that’s a little bit new and a little bit on the edge of learning,” Davis said. “What’s really exciting is when they get funds from these grants that you guys are funding today, they take that information that they’ve learned and they leverage it into bigger grants. Just so you know…two of them have been leveraged into a total of almost $700,000 in bigger grant money.”
At the close of the opening ceremonies, Evi Donevan spoke of her husband Rob, the friend of Istvan’s who inspired the ride six years ago.
Although unable to be present, an emotional Donevan read a note from her husband.
“ ‘I wanted to express my sincere thanks to a number of notable individuals who have demonstrated a profound commitment to this event and more specifically to those affected by Parkinson’s.
“It has been said that we are most satisfied in life when we marry our patients to people’s needs. Pete and Dave you have demonstrated this concept so well. Kudos for recognizing the need and creating a vision an leadership and working tirelessly when you didn’t have to and pulling off an event that promotes an activity while strengthening individuals and our communities.
“Hats off to many other volunteers who have offered time and resources. Finally, thanks to all the riders for your contributions in the form of sweat and donated dollars. Our dream is to ultimately find a cure for this disease. Pedaling for Parkinson’s has and will continue to offer hope to many, so I bid you that this weekend to ride for the sheer pleasure and exploration of cycling. Ride with friends and family and savour your rich moments together and ride to make a difference.’ ”
http://www.parrysound.com/news-story/6773718-event-grows-to-260-friends-against-parkinson-s/
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