Parkinson 5K Raises Money for Research
by Rocco Vertuccio
photo by Ben Shutts
Published Apr 06, 2008
It was a gorgeous day to be outside Sunday and Mother Nature definitely did her part to help out a good cause.

Hundreds took part in the annual Parkinson Canal 5K Run and Walk. The event raises money for Parkinson’s research, including local research at the University of Rochester.

The event, now in its tenth year, is one that many take part in for personal reasons.

"My father had Parkinson's disease. He died in 1998; that's how I got involved. This is my tenth year as the race director," said Peter Smith, race director.

Parkinson's disease occurs when certain nerve cells in a part of the brain become impaired. The disease causes shaking, slowness of movement and difficulty with balance.

About 2,000 people in the Rochester area suffer from this debilitating disease.

http://www.rnews.com/Story_2004.cfm?..._story_type=18

Parkinson Support Group of Upstate New York