The Parkinson’s Association is sponsoring its annual 5K walk/run on Saturday, April 18 at NTC Park at Liberty Station in Point Loma. This U.S.A. Track and Field-sanctioned 5K is also chip timed and dog-friendly. The event opens at 7 a.m. for registration with the run starting at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starting at 9:15 a.m. Registration is open at www.ParkinsonsStepbyStep.com. Participation fees are $45 for adults, $20 for children (12 and under) and $10 for dogs.
The association is also presenting the largest Parkinson’s Medical Expo in the western United States, which will be open before, during and after the 5K walk/run. Participants will meet researchers and experts from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, UCSD School of Medicine, UC Irvine Dept. of Neurology, Scripps Health and others.
Located right next to the Medical Expo will be a medical speakers tent, which will feature various speakers from universities, hospitals, well-being clinics and research institutions who will speak on cutting-edge Parkinson’s treatment research projects. Topics may include: DBS Surgery, Advanced Treatments and Breakthroughs, A Healthy Quality of Life for Parkinson’s Families, and Brain Circuitry. The health and fitness village will feature several community exercise organizations that will share tools to empower people affected by Parkinson’s to live joyfully and well by caring for body, mind and spirit.
Through Paws for Parkinson’s, guests will learn how a well-trained dog can benefit a Parkinson’s patient, meet trainers, hear about dog adoption entities and more.
The event is also designed to entertain the whole family and their dog, with a kids’ zone, a classic car show, food trucks, a beer garden, music, opportunity drawings, and dog adoptions.
The Parkinson’s Association provides critically needed services to the Parkinson’s community and is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Proceeds from this event will fund Parkinson’s research, vital programs, and counseling services to help improve the quality of life for the 200,000+ people in Southern California who are affected by Parkinson’s disease, be it caregiver, patient, or family member.
For more information: www.ParkinsonStepByStep.com or www.ParkinsonsAssociation.org.