Get out and move with your community! Every dollar raised supports the Parkinson’s Foundation mission to make life better for people affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD). At Moving Day Community Walks across the country, we’re fighting Parkinson’s and celebrating movement — proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms — and we’re doing it together. The Moving Day Community Walk Program is a complement to the Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day, A Walk for Parkinson’s. These walks are family-friendly and help the Foundation make life better for people with PD.
The Community Walk program offers volunteers an opportunity to organize a walk in their own community that does not have a Moving Day event. The program leverages the personal experiences and community leadership of passionate volunteers to promote Parkinson’s awareness and raise funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation.
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 vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while 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 vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while 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 vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while 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.
I do not do it alone. Like the saying goes, “There’s no I in team.” Going into my fifth 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; It was difficult for me 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.
Now, 13 years later after my initial diagnosis and 15 years after going from doctor to doctor trying to find out why I was having so many problems with my hands, here I am. I’m not afraid to shout from the roof tops that I fight this disease day after day, with good and bad days.
Even on the bad days I am forever thankful for the blessings that Parkinson’s has brought into my life in the form of new friends and loved ones. People with Parkinson’s and their families, the Parkinson’s medical community, the Parkinson’s support groups, the Parkinson’s exercise groups, people who work with the Parkinson’s community like the Parkinson's Foundation. All these people have made my life better and without having Parkinson’s, I would not have met them. They help empower me to make an impact in my community and the world beyond.
And I am thankful for my recent deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in December 2024 that has greatly increased the number of those good days. It’s only been a few months, but it has helped me tremendously. My days are better; my body, my brain, my focus, my outlook are all better. It took me two years to listen to anyone talk to me about DBS, but just like sharing my diagnosis, I had to be ready.
I’m grateful for the patience of my doctor, and the resources that were available when I finally was ready to listen and talk about it. This is such amazing technology that they have, and I am living a better quality of life because of it.
Parkinson’s disease has certainly changed my life, but I have never let it alter it in a negative way. I fight daily to beat this disease. And I will continue to fight towards a cure for this disease for the San Antonio community as well.
It all starts with awareness. I have learned a lot. I didn’t know what Parkinson’s was when I was diagnosed but I read, researched and I asked questions. And that’s where the Parkinson’s Foundation comes in for me. They have helped me and countless others here in San Antonio get the information and support they need.
As is part of the Foundation’s mission, “Make life better for people with Parkinson’s by improving Care and Advancing Research towards a cure.” That is the support I feel from them for me and many others here in San Antonio and across the world. With the help, love and support from my husband, my family, my friends and my faith; I know I can go forth to make an impact in our community; a good and positive impact.
Living with young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) while raising three kids with my wife has offered a few unique challenges and a superabundance of blessings. Like so many others experience, my Parkinson’s 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.
Several years later, I watched my youngest daughter invite her school friends to cheer on the participants at Moving Day. Her cheering motivated me to keep going and serve in my own way. The late Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” People of all ages and ability are able to volunteer and make a difference in the Parkinson’s community.
While Moving Day was the beginning of my volunteering journey, and becoming more active in the PD community, my advocacy has led me down some interesting paths, including fundraising and evaluating grant proposals. Over the years I’ve helped organize a Parkinson’s Casino Night, Trivia Night, and most recently started a Parkinson’s Awareness Day at Target Field with the Minnesota Twins (Major League Baseball). As a U.S. Army veteran, this past fall I had an opportunity to volunteer on The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ Parkinson’s Research Program as a consumer advocate participating in the evaluation of research applications.
As I look back on my journey with PD so far, I’m so glad that I didn’t sit on the sidelines and instead jumped right into an amazing journey that has helped me make new friendships across the nation.
In The Lorax, Dr. Seuss wrote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Your hearts, hands and voices are urgently needed. So, how will you choose to support the mission of the Parkinson’s Foundation to improve care and advance research toward a cure?
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.
Parkinson’s Champions athletes raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation while competing in some of the world’s most popular races. Every step we take brings us closer to a future without Parkinson’s disease, because Parkinson’s isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon.
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 vital resources and deliver quality care to more than 364,000 people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders, while 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.
