Hundreds Walk for Parkinson’s Awareness

Finishing off Parkinson's Awareness Month Strong!

April 1^st marked the start of Parkinson’s Awareness Month nationwide. Parkinson's disease, for those who may not know, is a disorder of nerve cells in the brain. As a result, a person’s movement, speech and gait are affected. At least 500,000 people suffer from Parkinson’s in this country and an estimated 50,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. There are treatments but scientists have yet to find a cure.

Hundreds of people walked the streets of Albany on Sunday (Apr. 24) to raise awareness of Parkinson's Disease. This year marked the 6^th annual “Hope Soars” 5K walk which was held in Washington Park, and the walk was a step towards providing education and support for the Parkinson’s Community.

A lot of the participants in the walk say they do so every year because Parkinson’s disease affects so many people, including the families and friends of those who are living with Parkinson’s disease. “To see this community support, and to be able to come out and to walk and raise money and awareness is really what this day is all about,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.

The money raised will benefit the Parkinson’s research fund at the Albany Medical Center.