Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide everything people with Parkinson’s need to live better — from lifesaving resources to delivering quality care to more than 196,700 people living with Parkinson’s to improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local community.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide everything people with Parkinson’s need to live better — from lifesaving resources to delivering quality care to more than 196,700 people living with Parkinson’s to improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local community.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide everything people with Parkinson’s need to live better — from lifesaving resources to delivering quality care to more than 196,700 people living with Parkinson’s to improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local community.
April 17 to 23 marks National Volunteer Week! All year round, we rely on the passion and energy of volunteers serving as Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors, to make a difference in the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) every day. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do in your community to spread awareness and make life better for people with Parkinson’s today.
Meet three amazing volunteers and read their inspiring stories that celebrate their contributions to the PD community.
Mark Kelm
People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council Vice Chair
Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter
Living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease while raising three kids with my wife has offered a few unique challenges and a superabundance of blessings. Like so many others experience, my PD rigidity, tremors, and balance issues make daily life tasks more taxing for me. It can be easy to allow these symptoms to make me sit on the sidelines of life. I’m sure many others have felt the same way.
I have come to understand, however, that we were not made to sit on the bench. We were created to actively engage in this life, making an impact in our own small but significant way.
When my wife and I told our kids of my diagnosis, they were in ninth, seventh and third grade. Our oldest daughter jumped right in, volunteering with the Parkinson’s Foundation Minnesota and Dakotas Chapter. She inspired us to participate as a family in Moving Day Twin Cities. That day, we became more aware of other opportunities to connect and volunteer. By getting involved, we have found that volunteering connects us to others, is good for our minds and bodies, and has brought fun and fulfillment to our lives… keep reading.
Moving Day San Antonio Team Captain
South Central Chapter
I do not do it alone. Like the saying goes, “There’s no I in team.” Going into my third year as team captain of “Team Sloth” for Moving Day San Antonio, I am very proud to volunteer with this energetic and passionate group to raise awareness of Parkinson’s. I may be the captain, but WE all do it all together.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not always an easy conversation, especially for the other party. It was difficult for me as well at the very beginning. It took me four years to tell my family and friends that I, indeed had Parkinson’s. I just couldn’t say the words.
Eventually, I found and joined a support group. I learned that they were going to participate in a walk to raise funds for Parkinson’s. I thought to myself, “this is the time to tell my family and friends” … keep reading.
The impact my father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis had on my family was severe and palpable. I’m an only child, so it’s just my mom, dad and me. Shortly after Dad was told he had Parkinson’s in 2018, there was an aggressive narrowing of their independence in the span of about 90 days. My mom became the primary caregiver to my dad, and luckily, I only live about an hour away, so since I’m fairly close I can be there at almost a moment’s notice to help when needed.
It was hard on all of us — the uncertainty and unknowns related to my dad’s diagnosis, but also the change in the family dynamic.
I work in Nasdaq’s San Francisco, CA, office. About six months before my dad was diagnosed with PD, my boss at the time, Jeff Thomas, whose father also has PD, organized a company happy hour to support the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day San Francisco event. In that first year, as we all familiarized ourselves with Parkinson’s, Jeff became a great resource and comfort since he had lived through what I was experiencing. He encouraged me to check out the Foundation’s resources and helped me get involved in Moving Day.
Getting involved with the Parkinson’s Foundation felt like a way to do something for my mom… keep reading.
A collaboration of the Tampa JCCs & Federation and the Parkinson's Foundation
Parkinson's Disease: Reducing Barriers & Connecting to Community
Join us to discuss Parkinson's symptoms, treatments, and progression while we explore important factors in helping live your best life, including diet, exercise, and staying connected. This program will also feature a live Q & A with Parkinson's experts.
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required since lunch will be served. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
*Program flyer- here.
*Register to volunteer at the program- here.
Expert Speakers:
Robert Hauser, MD, MBA
Movement Disorder Specialist, Director, USF Health Department of Neurology, Division of Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Theresa Zesiewicz, MD
Professor, Department of Neurology, Director, USF Ataxia Research Center, Movement Disorders
Yarema Bezchlibnyk, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, USF Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair
Surgical Director, Movement Disorders Neuromodulation Center
Annie Brooks, MSW
Director, Strategic Initiatives, Parkinson's Foundation
Kelly Hussey, PA-C
USF Health Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders
Alli Villane PT, DPT, NCS
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
LSVT BIG and LSVT BIG for Life Certified Clinician, Tampa General Hospital
Meghan Valentin, PT, DPT, AIB-VRC
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
LSVT BIG Certification Clinician
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Coordinator, Tampa General Hospital
COVID SAFETY: The health and safety of our participants, sponsors, volunteers and staff are our top priority. We continue to monitor CDC recommendations and will adhere to state and local COVID guidelines in place on the event day. Adjustments will be made if necessary.
Most people with Parkinson’s disease will experience changes in speech, voice and swallowing at some point during the course of the disease. Learn tools and exercises to help you better understand and manage speech, swallowing, drooling, communication, and other oral problems in PD.
Speaker
Kenneth P. Martinez, MD
Neurologist
Medical Director, Neurology and Pain Specialty Center, Aliso Viejo, CA
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Moving Day is an inspiring and empowering annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), their care partners and loved ones to help beat PD. Moving Day is more than just a walk. It’s a celebration of movement – proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms.
Leading up to the event, participants and teams fundraise to help the Parkinson’s Foundation provide everything people with Parkinson’s need to live better — from lifesaving resources to delivering quality care to more than 196,700 people living with Parkinson’s to improving Parkinson’s treatments through research.
Moving Day proceeds help bring quality care to more people with Parkinson’s, further Parkinson’s research, education and outreach initiatives. Moving Day raises awareness of Parkinson’s both nationally and in the local community.
Join health psychologist, Taylor Rush, PhD, as she explores different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.
Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.
Speaker
Taylor Rush, PhD, Health Psychologist
Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs
Center for Neurological Restoration
Cleveland Clinic, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
For many of us, physical discomfort is a part of our journey with Parkinson’s. In this session, we will talk together about how mindfulness can help us manage discomfort and pain, and offer a guided meditation on working with some of the common difficulties associated with Parkinson’s.
Speaker
Nico Hase, PhD
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.
Fun, Fast-paced LIVE workout using large muscle groups in universal movement patterns including Agility, Symptom-Focused bending and lifting, single-leg, pushing, pulling, and rotation. Modifications will be given to increase or decrease the challenge.
Please keep a bottle of water nearby. You may also wish to consider keeping a chair within reach in case you wish to do any of the activities in the seated position. Enjoy the session!
Instructors
Ben Rossi - ACE-CPT, PWR!Moves, DTD, Founding Member and CPO of InMotion and Owner of Ability to Perform Fitness Center
Dan Medves, ACE-CPT, PWR!Moves, DTD
There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. This program is open to people with Parkinson's, their family, friends and the community.
