For many, a casual stroll around the Cochrane Ranche Historic Site on a Sunday afternoon is a leisurely activity. But for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease this same action can become a challenge.
And on Sept. 8, the historic site will fill with participants facing a different challenge — raising money to support Parkinson Alberta by joining in the organization’s Step ‘n Stride fundraiser.
Registration for the event is set to start at noon, while the walk itself won’t begin until 1 p.m.
“It’s not a competitive walk — it’s really about getting Albertans affected by Parkinson disease out, meeting each other and moving,” said Duane Schreiner, fund development manager for Parkinson Alberta.
“We try very hard to get out to rural areas. We find that Parkinson’s disease patients can be very isolated, so we try to bring support services and programs to them. With a little bit of care, we can see a big difference in those living with the disease.”
Fundraiser participants can choose between walking one kilometre, three kilometres or five kilometres.
Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that effects motor and non-motor functions due to a lack of dopamine in the brain. According to research from the organization, the average age of diagnosis is about 56 years old, but about 20 per cent of people with the disease are diagnosed before they turn 50.
The group stated that the average monthly expenses for a single person living with the disease is about $1,000 — just to cover the fees associated with medication, transportation, support services and education.
The Step ‘n Stride is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the province-wide foundation, accounting for about 50 per cent of the fundraising revenue. Held in eight locations across Alberta, 100 per cent of the proceeds go to Albertans affected by Parkinson disease through support services, programs, education and research.
Last year, Step ‘n Stride events throughout Alberta raised more than $345,000. Cochrane alone raised just shy of $20,000 in 2012, said Brandi La Bonte, community relations and communications coordinator for Parkinson Alberta.
This year, Schreiner said he was hoping to raise a province-wide number of $400,000. To learn more about Parkinson Alberta, to make a donation to the initiative or to register for the Parkinson Step ‘n Stride, visit parkinsonalberta.ca/home.
