More than 10,000 Participate in Parkinson's Unity Walk

Early on the morning of April 26 the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) Pacers joined 10,000 other members of the Parkinson’s community for the 14th Annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk in New York City’s Central Park.

The crowd gathered as early at 10 a.m. for a full day of educational and community building events culminating with a 1.7 mile walk. Led by members of PDF’s People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council and donning green team t-shirts, the Pacers Team joined a crowd of all ages, who wore team shirts of every color, held signs of support and sported painted faces—all in support of a cure and of loved ones living with Parkinson’s.

Walkers spent the morning visiting informational booths, such as one led by PDtrials, which informed participants about the importance of clinical research. Another booth called Ask the Doctor, gave participants the chance to get answers from leading physicians to their questions about living with PD or living close to it.

At noon, the Unity Walk Program began in the Park’s Bandshell area. The annual Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award was presented to Marlene Kahan for her significant contributions to the Parkinson’s community. Ms. Kahan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three and a half years ago. Since her diagnosis, she has founded her own Unity Walk team—Team Mag Queen—and helped develop a successful public service announcement about Parkinson’s in conjunction with Carol Walton, CEO of the New Jersey-based Parkinson Alliance, and Maryum ‘May May’ Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali.

After the ceremony, people with PD, their families, friends, and other supporters, began the walk around the southern loop of Central Park. The event united all members of the PD community. It also raised more than $1.6 million for Parkinson’s research.