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Last Saturday marked the 16th annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk held in NYC’s Central Park.  Organized by Kingston, NJ’s The Parkinson Alliance, it is the largest single-day grassroots awareness and fund raising event for the Parkinson’s disease community.  It’s been my pleasure to be involved with the Walk since early 2001.

The  program began at the Bandshell.This year’s speakers included Carol Walton, (Executive Director of PUW), Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (representing NY 14th district), Martin Tuckman (CEO), May May Ali (daughter of famed boxer), and Davis Phinney (a former professional road bicycle racer and Olympic medalist who founded the David Phinney Foundation), and speakers from Solvay Pharmaceuticals, the premier Sponsor.  The event was MC’d once again by the beautiful Michelle Charlesworth (she looks like a beauty queen), TV news reporter and anchorwoman at ABC’s Eyewitness News.  While the program was uplifting, it was also sad in that this past year the Walk’s founder, Margot Zobel, passed away.

Me with Michelle

Carol Walton

The Honorable Carolyn Maloney, Martin Tuchman, and Davis Phinney

Davis leading the crowd

My sister took this picture showing me at work backstage as the speakers gather.

The “Find a Cure Blvd” was filled with a variety of booths with representatives from sponsors, seven major Parkinson’s organizations, a kid’s area, area for team pictures (taken by my business partner, Derry), refreshment, and more.  Many sponsors generously give away a variety of informative literature and goodies such as bags, t-shirts, pens, treats, and one sponsor even gave away yoga mats!

After the program concluded, the gentle 2-mile circular Walk began.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and there were thousands of walkers.

My sister, one of the volunteer photographers, took the picture of me below.

My 8th year as official photographer of the Walk

The evening prior to the Walk, Derry and I also photographed the “kick-off” party held at the Boat House in Central Park.

A gorgeous venue

What a great way to kick off the Walk!

The event is incredibly inspiring.  Important is that 100% of all of the donations raised by walkers and contributors continues to be designated for Parkinson’s research.  For more information, visit the Parkinson’s Unity Walk.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm and is filed under photos, PUW and Parkinson Alliance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.