Walk for the cure – September 8
http://www.apdamidwest.org/APDA_Midwest/Home.html
Our annual Walk-A-Thon to raise funds for research to “knockout” Parkinson’s disease is fast approaching.
If you haven’t already done so, we hope that you will invite your friends and family to join us for a day of fun in the park, promising something special for all ages:
- The three-mile walk along the picturesque Riverwalk in Naperville, IL is suited for all fitness levels.
- Ozzie, the mascot of the Kane County Cougars, will be our special guest to entertain the children.
- Our grand prize in the raffle is a Lazy-e-boy recliner
Event Schedule
8:30 a.m. Check-in
Turn in pledge sheets and donations.
Make suggested minimum donation
of $25 per person and receive one t-shirt.
Sign waiver for walking.
Enjoy coffee and snacks.
9:30 a.m. Welcome
Maxine Dust, Chapter Board President: Opening Remarks
Dr. Michael Rezak: Update on PD research
10:00 a.m. Walk begins
11:00 a.m. Raffle drawing
Comments by Midwest Chapter President Maxine Dust – Why walk? Why not walk?
Ask any of the participants in our Walk-a-Thon why they turn out year after year, rain or shine, and you will learn that it is all about “friends, family, and personal connections to PD.
We walk to stand beside and support those we love and to remember those who are no longer with us. We walk for ourselves, our spouses, our children, and for our parents, our siblings, and our friends. Using walkers and canes, pushing wheelchairs and strollers, and accompanied by pets on leashes, we walk because there is strength in numbers. The sense of community we feel gives us hope, and empowers us to pursue monies for research that could bring about the cure.
APDA’s research program has been involved in every major research breakthrough for more than 45 years. We will not rest until PD is conquered. The Walk is our largest annual national fund-raiser, with all proceeds, minus expenses, going for PD research. Money, however, is becoming increasingly hard to come by. Sponsor dollars are drying up along with corporate profits. Our volunteers have stepped up efforts to obtain pledges, but not enough to offset the shortfall. We have had to go the way of almost every charity walk, suggesting a minimum donation for each walker.
We didn’t want to do this, but walks don’t come free. Expenses include: Porta-potty rental, permits, security officers, printing and mailing pledge sheets and t-shirts. If we lose money on this event, who will fund research for the cure? That is the purpose for the walk. We already “shake hands with ourselves” when we run the Symposium, but that’s an educational event we don’t want anyone to miss due to not having money. Achieving our mission is dependent on every one of us doing our part. We look forward to seeing you at the Walk on Sept. 8.
Download PLEDGE SHEET 2012.pdf and WALK BROCHURE.pdf