This year’s Parkinson’s 5k Walk and Fun Run was held this past Saturday, April 17, 2010 at NTC Park at Liberty Station in Point Loma. It was a beautiful San Diego day for it, with most walkers and runners sporting short-sleeves and shorts! The sun was shining; the temperature was perfect – amazing weather!

Approximately 1700 walkers and runners and several hundred dogs took to the 5k course which went along NTC Park and over the bridge. The total raised as reported at the end of the event was approximately $185,000, which will go towards services for San Diegans battling Parkinson’s as well as Parkinson’s research. It was a great turn out for such an important cause!

Each participant received a red shirt with the “Fighting Parkinson’s Step by Step 2010” logo on it – even the dogs received shirts – theirs read “Paws for Parkinson’s”! There was live music, free snacks and beverages, prizes, and more! It was a wonderful event for families and friends!

Our team “Big Al’s,” named after my dad who has Parkinson’s, will definitely make this event an annual tradition and aim to get even more team members and donations next year. I encourage everyone to participate to raise awareness and funding for this important cause. Scientists are working hard to find a cure for Parkinson’s and events such as this make this vital research possible.

Thank you so very much to all who participated and donated to this year’s Parkinson’s 5k Walk and Fun Run!

For more information about Parkinson’s disease please visit the National Parkinson’s Foundation website.