For four years a group of enthusiastic family and friends from Ponoka and throughout Alberta have gathered in Red Deer on a September afternoon to take part in a Super Walk to raise money for research towards the care and cure from those suffering from Parkinsons disease.
This annual fun stroll is one of 80 that are featured throughout Canada each fall, and this year’s goal for the ‘Cause of Hope’ was a national fund-raising total of 2.5 million dollars. In the 2007 event a total of 12,000 family participants of all ages walked to a record Canadian total of $2.1 million.
On Saturday, Sept. 20 the Central Alberta Parkinsons Super Walk was held in Red Deer, with an excellent turnout taking part in the casual three to five kilometre jaunt through the tranquility of Great Chief Park. Right in the middle of the pack supporting the Parkinsons care cause were John and Michelle Ramberg, Chuck and Carol Vath, Lori Anderson, Judy Bennett, Neil and Penny Kivell, Gene and Marilyn Caouette, Alastair, Nancy MacKenzie and Marlene Perry; the latter five all from Ponoka. Together, dressed for the occasion and also accompanied by pet pooches Gus and Cass they all enjoyed the afternoon nature walk, and once again managed to collect the top team total for the Red Deer event of $7,000.
The Super Walk for Parkinson’s began in 1990, and since the inception a total of $11.8 million has been collected for vital research, education, support and advocacy. Parkinson’s disease affects over 100,000 Canadians, and if you ask any of these individuals they will quietly but bravely tell you that everything becomes much harder when your body turns against you. The dedication of participants in the annual Super Walks and the generous support of the nation with pledges towards care, research and cure are most appreciated by those suffering from the disease as well as a blessing of hope to over 400,000 family members, friends, and caregivers.
Anyone wishing to partake or donate to the Super Walk for Parkinsons in the future are welcome to contact www.superwalk.com; and those requiring more information about Parkinsons disease, treatment, and programs can get in touch with www.hopeforParkinsons.org.