Updated 10:48 am, Monday, September 8th:
A spokesperson with the event said more than $51,000 was raised through the event.
Original Story:
The annual Parkinson’s SuperWalk in Prince George saw an “overwhelming response” from the community this year.
SuperWalk Coordinator Gina Beddome said they normally get between 75 and 100 people out for the walk, but they were hoping for at least 200.
“There’s an excitement in the air for the number of people now in Prince George that have a better awareness of Parkinson’s Disease, and seem to be wanting to do what they can to help those people with it,” she explained.
“The other is good anticipation for the event and just being more out there and people more aware of what we’re going through with Parkinson’s.”
The SuperWalk had a launch on August 12th, where it was revealed local philanthropist Selen Alpay was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Beddome said since then, the event has been the talk of the town.
“The Host City now seems to be more attuned to Parkinson’s, to the SuperWalk,” she said.
“It’s actually quite exciting for those of us that have been sort of silently suffering through the years, feeling very much alone with Parkinson’s, that’s all turned around this year and it’s very uplifting.”
Fellow SuperWalk Coordinator Serena Sanghara is advocating for a movement disorder clinic in Prince George.
“That’s very crucial for Northern BC, because we don’t have a clinic up here in the north,” she explained.
She said there are three clinics in BC, in Victoria, Vancouver, and Kelowna.
“Parkinson’s is really prevalent in people over 60, and most of them are seniors with a fixed income,” Sanghara said.
“Financially, it’s really hard for them to go multiple times a year down there, and also paying for their caregiver as well.”
Sanghara added with mobility being a challenge, the travel is challenging as well.
She said finding a neurologist has been a big challenge as well.
“We couldn’t find a neurologist that was willing to work here, we have two neurologists, but they’re quite busy themselves and they have their own waitlist,” Sanghara said
“We have a team now, I can finally say that we have a plan and that we are working with them and we’re trying to bring the clinic as soon as possible to Prince George.”
More information on donating to the Parkinson SuperWalk can be found here.
–With files from Zach Barrowcliff, My Prince George Now
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