July 8, 2017
From left, Pat Evans, Lynne Evans, Gayle Truman, and Judy McCarthy, promote the Lanark-North Leeds SuperWalk to be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Conlon Farm. - Submitted photo
Local volunteers have been working since December to host the first Parkinson SuperWalk Lanark North Leeds. It joins 80 other communities across Canada for Parkinson Canada’s largest fundraising event.
The event will take place at Conlon Farm, Perth, 109 Smith Drive, on Saturday, Sept. 9 with check in at 9:30 a.m. and walk start at 10 a.m. Proceeds raised will be used to fund research, increase services and support advocacy efforts on behalf of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
The event will be held rain or shine with local entertainers, food, information about PD.
Patricia Boal, CTV Ottawa News anchor will be the MC, joining Perth town crier Brent McLaren to lead the walk. Every participant who raises $50 or more will receive a Parkinson’s T-shirt and the great feeling that comes with being part of a larger community. Prizes will be awarded to the first-time walkers who raise the most money. Those with mobility issues are encouraged to attend.
“Having participated in other walks in Toronto and Ottawa, I have always found it so inspiring to be with others who have Parkinson’s Disease and who share a common goal,” says Pat Evans, who is helping to organize the event.
“We have had great support from local sponsors and individuals. Still weeks away from the event, we have raised more than $12,000 in in-kind and cash sponsorships and donations and are hopeful that by September 9th, we can double this amount.”
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurological movement disorder, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time. The most common symptoms include tremor, slowness and stiffness, impaired balance, problems with handwriting, stooped posture and sleep disturbances. There is no cure, you can live with it for years and everyone progresses in a differen way.
Parkinson Canada offers support groups in various communities across Canada, including Almonte and Perth. These groups are important for those with Parkinson’s as they provide an opportunity to feel less alone and learn more about services that will help them do better.
Currently, one in 500 people in Canada have Parkinson's but that number is expected to double by 2031. The average age of diagnosis is around 60 years of age but like Michael J. Fox, 10 per cent are diagnosed before age 40. To date, despite decades of intensive study, the causes of Parkinson’s remain unknown. Many experts think that the disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which may vary from person to person.
In Perth, there is a Parkinson's support group which meets the last Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the Community Home Support Lanark County, 40 Sunset Blvd. Suite D. In Perth. Meetings are held the third Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Kemptville and District Home Support office located at 215 Sanders St., Unit 1 in Kemptville.
For more information on the meetings, please call Margaux Wolfe, community development coordinator for eastern Ontario at 613-722-9238 or 1-800-565-3000 ext 3425, or email
Margaux.Wolfe@parkinson.ca.
https://www.insideottawavalley.com/community-story/7413588-superwalk-for-parkinson-s-disease-to-be-held-in-perth-sept-9/
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