By Seth DuChene
Editor
Parkinson Canada held the first what they hope will be many fundraising ‘Superwalks’ in Napanee on Wednesday.
Members of the Napanee Parkinson’s support group donned special blue t-shirts and walked through downtown Napanee for the event. Leading up to the walk, the group also collected pledges to help fund support, research and advocacy through Parkinson Canada. Similar walks will be held in communities across Canada in September.
Although the fundraising total on Wednesday amounted to just more than $2,100, organizers say they expect more donations to roll in over the course of the month. Online donations can be made at here.
According to Diane Newman Reed, a community development co-ordinator with Parkinson Canada, walks are often held in conjunction with the days local Parkinson support groups meet; in the case of Napanee, the support group meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 1:30 p.m. at the Napanee and Area Community Health Centre.
She says those support groups offer those coping with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as their family members, an opportunity to come together and help one another.
The first Superwalk in Napanee enjoyed the sponsorship support of La Creppa, Country Traditions, Giant Tiger, Metro and McDonalds.
According to the Parkinson’s Canada website, Parkinson’s Disease is “a progressive, degenerative brain disorder. Movement is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical that carries signals between the nerves in the brain. When cells that normally produce dopamine die, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear.”
Although its symptoms can be treated, there is currently no cure for the disease.