WHAT: The American Parkinson Disease Association 3rd Annual Walk-a-thon Event Highlights: -- Over 500 Parkinsonians, caregivers, family members, friends, and pets walking to raise monies for the fight against Parkinson's disease with 100% of funds raised going to research -- Launch of revolutionary mobility device, the Dashaway, created by 90- year-old entrepreneur/inventor and Parkinsonian Stan Dashew, pioneer of the modern credit card -- Fitness equipment helpful to Parkinsonians, including the Pilates Stick, demonstrated by actors Brian Austin Green ("Beverly Hills 90210") and fiancée Megan Fox (star of upcoming Michael Bay-directed "Transformers") -- Tee shirt designs from FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) students judged by "Project Runway" contestant/fashion designer Nick Verreos and GUESS design director Alejandro Blanco; winner gets FIDM scholarship -- Unveiling of first-ever national Parkinson's Quilt -- Performance by Dance For Kids competitive dance team from Brentwood WHO: -- Sharin Klisser, APDA Director, West Coast Office -- Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom, Official Starter of Walk-a- thon -- Actors Brian Austin Green, Megan Fox demonstrating Pilates Stick -- Dashaway inventor Stanley Dashew -- Charles Blount, personal trainer-to-the-stars and Pilates Stick inventor -- Mark Siegal, APDA Greater Los Angeles Chapter President WHEN: Saturday April 28, 2007 from 10:00AM to 12:30PM (Declared Parkinson's Disease Awareness Day in Los Angeles by the City Council) Registration begins at 9:00AM (More Info: 1-800-908-2732) WHERE: Palisades Park, Santa Monica, CA (corner of Ocean Ave. and Colorado Ave.)Sponsors: The Walking Company, Dashaway Company, Medtronic, Valeant Pharmaceuticals BACKGROUND: The American Parkinson Disease Association, the largest nonprofit grassroots organization for Parkinson's disease in the U.S., is committed to easing the burden on patients, family members and caregivers affected by Parkinson's while raising funds for medical research, education and outreach. Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system. Clinically, the disease is characterized by a decrease in spontaneous movements, gait difficulty, postural instability, rigidity and tremor.. While the frequency of the disease is considerably higher in people over 50, we are seeing an alarming increase in patients who are in their 30s and 40s. Famous Parkinsonians include Michael J. Fox, Earth, Wind & Fire's lead singer Maurice White, Rev. Billy Graham, Pope John Paul II, Janet Reno and Muhammad Ali. Parkinson's affects not only the patient, but also the entire family.
Contact Information: Press Contact: Frank Coffey/Maggie Begley Communications 310/301-1785 Email Contact