TUCSON, AZ, Date –The Parkinson’s Foundation will host Moving Day Tucson on November 12, 2022, at Udall Park. More than 100 people are expected to take part in movement demonstrations and a 1-mile walk to beat Parkinson’s. The family-friendly, in-person event is one of 45 Moving Days taking place across the country in 2022. Funds raised through Moving Day support cutting-edge research, improved quality of care and education programs to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease and their families. 

Moving Day is more than just a walk. It is a celebration of movement, which is critical in battling the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The event in Tucson will be fun and inspiring, including demonstrations of boxing and other movement disciplines to warm up the crowd for the walk. It is estimated that one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s, with approximately 60,000 people newly diagnosed each year. Moving Day events across the country have raised more than $35 million supporting the Parkinson’s Foundation’s mission to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease.

This year the Southwest Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation will be honoring Dr. Becky G. Farley at Moving Day Tucson. Dr. Farley is the Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!). In 2012, she launched the local PWR!Gym – a model community facility in AZ for implementing ongoing access to cutting-edge rehabilitation, group exercise and wellness programming.

When asked why she is supporting Parkinson’s Foundation and Moving Day, Dr. Farley commented that “Parkinson’s Foundation recently created new Parkinson’s disease exercise recommendations to promote the development of safe and effective exercise programs. They also advocate for collaboration between rehabilitation and community exercise professionals for more personalized and effective programs that can address health changes proactively to keep you exercising for a lifetime. These recommendations couldn’t be in more alignment with our mission and programs at PWR! locally and globally! That is why we are so thrilled to be involved in this inaugural  Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day in Tucson!

Please join us ALL to get YOUR daily dose of exercise and empowerment and connect with PD-specialized local rehabilitation and exercise and wellness resources to build the team YOU need to get better and stay better!“

Fundraising at the walk is important but so is the social aspect. “Moving Day is vital not only because it is our largest fundraising event of the year, but because it brings the Parkinson’s community together” said Robin Rhea, Development Director for PF’s Southwest Chapter. “This community really supports each other, and you can see how these interactions truly benefit everyone who attends,” she continued.

One of the critical efforts supported by Moving Day donations is PD GENEration, a clinical study by the Parkinson’s Foundation. PD GENEration examines the genetic foundations of the disease, opening doors to new treatment approaches and, hopefully, a cure. The Foundation is seeking additional participants for the study, and more information will be available at the event.

Moving Day Tucson will include informational exhibits and a PD Experience where people who don’t have Parkinson’s can learn what it’s like to contend with some of the affliction’s symptoms. The event draws people of all ages and walks of life.

To learn more about Moving Day Tucson and how you, your family and friends, and your company can get involved, please visit MovingDayTucson.org. Moving Day is made possible, in part, through the generous support of national and local partners including Amneal, Abbott, Sunovion Kyowa Kirin, Abbvie, ClearPoint Neuro and Acorda.   

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About the Parkinson’s Foundation

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $400 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).

About Parkinson’s Disease

Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.