COCHRANE— Adapting to the COVID-19 public health measures in place the annual Flexxaire Parkinson Step 'N Stride will be hosting this year's festivities online.
The eighth annual Flexxaire Parkison Step ‘N Stride, hosted by The Parkinson Association of Alberta began on Aug. 1 and will run until Sept. 12.
There are roughly 10,000 Albertans that live with Parkinson’s disease, and the Parkinson Association of Alberta supports about 3,000 of them.
The event helps to support the Association in providing care to Albertans who have been impacted by the disease.
Alicia Jeffrey, marketing, communications, and events specialist with the Parkinson Association of Alberta said that the Step ‘N Stride helps to fund the services that the Association offers to Albertans.
“This is the largest fundraiser that we host every year, this is our eighth year, and it raises crucial funds so that we can provide services at next to no cost,” she said.
The Association’s goal this year is to raise $250,000.
On a normal year, said Jeffrey, the event in Cochrane would take place at Mitford Park.
This year, however, due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event is all happening virtually.
Participants are being asked to register online, and are encouraged to share their progress and activities using the hashtag #WhyIWalk or tag the association on Facebook or Instagram using @ParkinsonsAssociationOfAlberta or on Twitter using @PDAssocAB.
“You can kind of make a personal fitness goal, let’s say it’s a kilometre a day you want to walk, you can track that yourself and share that with your sponsors and friends,” she said.
There are also a few prizes up for grabs. Each Saturday there are virtual workouts, and participants who take part in all six will be entered to win a flight for two anywhere that WestJet flies.
There are also two $500 gift cards from Save On Foods for anyone who registers before Aug. 23, and several $50 gift cards that can be won if the participant raises more than $50 for the Association.
“This year looks different, but the cause is still the same. Fundraising crucial funds for the Parkinson Association of Alberta and our Parkinson’s community,” Jeffrey said.
The event began on Aug. 1, but registration is still open. To sign up for the event, visit stepnstride.ca/.
