Moving Day Walk in North Park 'Moves' People to Parkinson's Disease Awareness

A walk in North Park this Saturday is being held to raise money and awareness about Parkinson's disease.

The Moving Day Walk, starts with registration at 8:30 a.m. at Southridge by the park’s swimming pool. Festivities begin with a welcome to walkers, warmup and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The walk begins at 10 a.m; snacks and announcements follow at 11 a.m. 

“Moving Day is fun, great exercise and, without being obvious, educational,” said Barbara Farrell, executive director of the National Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter.

“The support of Pittsburgh-area residents will enable us to continue to make meaningful changes in the lives of those with Parkinson’s disease. We believe that ‘people who move change the world.’”

The Moving Day Walk also will feature a “Movement Pavilion,” with stations featuring yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, dance and more. 

Studies show that movement is beneficial and proven to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, improving flexibility and mobility. 

Moving Day is sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation and its Western Pennsylvania chapter. It is the first grassroots campaign to spotlight Parkinson’s disease awareness on a national level, with broadcaster Katie Couric as the honorary chair for the walks that are planned for cities across the U.S.

Proceeds raised from the campaign go to support local services for people living with the disease and research leading to better treatments.

The four main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:

• trembling in the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face;
• rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk;
• slowness of movement;
• impaired balance and coordination.

“As the disease progresses, the shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of PD patients, may begin to interfere with daily activities,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

“Parkinson's disease (PD) belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells,” states the website for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The National Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter is the primary regional provider of non-medical services for 10,000 individuals with Parkinson's disease, their families and caregivers, according to its website. 

The chapter provides exercise and wellness programs, education, information, referral and support. For more information, call 412-365-2086 or visit www.pfwpa.org.

For more information about the National Parkinson Foundation and the Moving Day event, click on www.parkinson.org or call toll-free 1-800-4PD-INFO.