One Step At A Time, Washington Residents Raise Funds, Awareness & Inspiration At American Parkinson Disease Association Optimism Walks

September 13, 2023 1:30 am
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Big smiles and big energy from the 2022 Top Fundraising Team – Team SEAYOPD who raised critical funds and awareness at last year’s Northwest Optimism Walk! Image courtesy American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Northwest Chapter
Big smiles and big energy from the 2022 Top Fundraising Team – Team SEAYOPD who raised critical funds and awareness at last year’s Northwest Optimism Walk! Image courtesy American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Northwest Chapter

SEATTLE, WA – The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Northwest Chapter is proud to host two APDA Northwest Optimism Walks on September 30, one at the Ship Canal Trail in Seattle, and the other at Marathon Park in Olympia.

With a new diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) every six minutes – that’s 240 people every day — the need for increased awareness and support is critical. There are approximately one million people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the United States – 60,000 of which are right here in the Northwest.

With events across the country, the Optimism Walk series brings thousands of participants together to support APDA’s mission to help every person impacted by PD live life to the fullest.

The funds raised at the Northwest Optimism Walks help APDA provide essential support groups, exercise classes designed specifically for people with PD, educational conferences, and so much more.

“The Northwest Optimism Walks are a fun and inspiring day filled with smiles and connections, and such a great way to support the local PD community” said Kirsten Richards, Executive Director of the APDA Northwest Chapter. “Whether you or someone you love are living with PD, supporting an Optimism Walk is an easy way to get involved, whether you organize a team to attend the walk, support a loved one, or just show up to celebrate our Parkinson’s community.”

What is an Optimism Walk? The Northwest Optimism Walks are family-friendly fundraising events that offer a short walk of up to 1.5 miles and other activities including educational opportunities, sponsor activities, music and most importantly, the chance to bond with others who are similarly connected.

The Walks are perfect for people with PD, their friends, family, coworkers, and care partners – anyone who wants to step up and help put an end to this disease.

“Access to the right information, support, and resources is key to living your best life, and that’s true for the person living with PD as well as their family and friends,” states Richards. “The APDA Northwest Chapter is working hard to serve people with PD and their families and to help them feel supported after diagnosis and during the years that follow. The more funds we raise at each Optimism Walk, the more people we can help every day.”

Local programs currently include education and support for those newly diagnosed such as PD Essentials and PRESS™ (Parkinson’s Road Map for Education and Support Services), free wellness and exercise programs, Take Control virtual education sessions featuring timely and timeless topics, and introducing YOPD-CON, a first-of-its-kind conference for the young onset community scheduled for October 14-15.

Many other opportunities to learn and connect can be found at apdaparkinson.org/Northwest.

Corporate partners Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Avion Pharmaceuticals are supporting the entire series as National Sponsors of the 2023 Optimism Walk events. Representatives from these companies will be on hand to meet members of the PD community and demonstrate their special commitment to helping people with PD, families, and care partners as they work tirelessly to bring innovative solutions to those living with this disease. Local support includes Gold Sponsors CarePartners Senior Living and TwinStar Credit Union. The generous support of these sponsors is critical to the success of our mission.

To learn more and register for the Northwest Optimism Walks, visit the apdaparkinson.org/Northwest website or call 206-695-2905.

About the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA): The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the more than one million people in the US with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $252 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org.

– American Parkinson Disease Association

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