Walk-a-Thon to Benefit American Parkinson Disease Association on Saturday, April 28th

Monday April 16, 2:06 pm ET
Press Release Source: APDA
http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070416/0239324.html

Program Features Launch of Revolutionary Mobility Device for Parkinson's Sufferers; Tee Shirt Design Contest Judged by "Project Runway" Designer Nick Verreos; Unveiling of First-Ever National Parkinson's Quilt; Health and Wellness EXPO

Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom to Kick Off Event


WHAT: The American Parkinson Disease Association
3rd Annual Walk-a-thon

Event Highlights:
-- Over 500 Parkinsonians, caregivers, family members, friends, and pets
walking to raise monies for the fight against Parkinson's disease with
100% of funds raised going to research
-- Launch of revolutionary mobility device, the Dashaway, created by 90-
year-old entrepreneur/inventor and Parkinsonian Stan Dashew, pioneer of
the modern credit card
-- Fitness equipment helpful to Parkinsonians, including the Pilates
Stick, demonstrated by actors Brian Austin Green ("Beverly Hills
90210") and fiancée Megan Fox (star of upcoming Michael Bay-directed
"Transformers")
-- Tee shirt designs from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design &
Merchandising) students judged by "Project Runway" contestant/fashion
designer Nick Verreos and GUESS design director Alejandro Blanco;
winner gets FIDM scholarship
-- Unveiling of first-ever national Parkinson's Quilt
-- Performance by Dance For Kids competitive dance team from Brentwood

WHO: -- Sharin Klisser, APDA Director, West Coast Office
-- Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, Official Starter of Walk-a-
thon
-- Actors Brian Austin Green, Megan Fox demonstrating Pilates
Stick
-- Dashaway inventor Stanley Dashew
-- Charles Blount, personal trainer-to-the-stars and Pilates
Stick inventor
-- Mark Siegal, APDA Greater Los Angeles Chapter President

WHEN: Saturday April 28, 2007 from 10:00AM to 12:30PM (Declared
Parkinson's Disease Awareness Day in Los Angeles by the City
Council)
Registration begins at 9:00AM (More Info: 1-800-908-2732)

WHERE: Palisades Park, Santa Monica, CA (corner of Ocean Ave. and
Colorado Ave.)

Sponsors: The Walking Company, Dashaway Company, Medtronic, Valeant Pharmaceuticals

BACKGROUND: The American Parkinson Disease Association, the largest nonprofit grassroots organization for Parkinson's disease in the U.S., is committed to easing the burden on patients, family members and caregivers affected by Parkinson's while raising funds for medical research, education and outreach.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. Clinically, the disease is characterized by a decrease in spontaneous movements, gait difficulty, postural instability, rigidity and tremor..

While the frequency of the disease is considerably higher in people over 50, we are seeing an alarming increase in patients who are in their 30s and 40s.

Famous Parkinsonians include Michael J. Fox, Earth, Wind & Fire's lead singer Maurice White, Rev. Billy Graham, Pope John Paul II, Janet Reno and Muhammad Ali. Parkinson's affects not only the patient, but also the entire family.