What is Run2beatPD?

 

In January of 2014, I created the Run2beatPD campaign as I set out to raise $2,500 for the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) while training to run my first half-marathon. I did this to honor my mom who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago. As a result of very generous support and donations from the community, family, and friends, not only was I able to complete the Festival 500 Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis on May 3, 2014, but $3, 046 was also presented to the National Parkinson Foundation. I am currently training to "run2beatPD" again in my first marathon!

 

To continue this challenge, the Run2beatPD 5K & 1 Mile Walk was developed in 2014 and approximately $12,000 has been donated to the National Parkinson Foundation from the first two events! We have also provided $1,500 in scholarships to Macon County high school seniors.

 

How the National Parkinson Foundation works…

There is not a cure Parkinson’s disease, and in fact, someone in the United States is diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease every 9 minutes. What is awesome about the National Parkinson Foundation, though, is that not only do they work countless hours to help find a cure for the disease, they also utilize donations and research to make great advancements in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and offer valuable support and free education for patients, their families, caregivers, and the general public. For example, thanks to recent advancements in medicine, my mom was able to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery about nine years ago which has significantly improved her quality of life for now. Treatments like this that help control the symptoms of the disease would have never been possible without foundations like the NPF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                       Our Goal

My biggest goal for this event is to help increase awareness about this common progressive disease and we are looking forward to a bigger and better event in 2017! The 3rd Annual  Run2beatPD 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Walk will end Parkinson’s Awareness Month on Saturday, April 29 2017. There are sponsorship opportunities that will help to offset the expenses of the event, with hopes that all of the proceeds from race entries will fulfill a $1,000 scholarship for a Macon County high school senior planning to attend college for the fall 2016 semester and enter the healthcare field. 100% of the remaining proceeds will again be donated directly to the National Parkinson Foundation.