Rock and stroll in NYC – US Unity Walk

Global update

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 7 April 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

The 21st edition of the Parkinson’s US Unity Walk (PUW) to raise awareness and funds for research into the disease takes place this weekend (25 April 2015) in New York’s Central Park.

Come rain or shine, participants will walk 1.4 miles through the capital city’s leafy park where 100% of donations go to research. It will be a day of community and education with information booths, representatives from sponsors and healthcare experts giving out information and resources to members of the Parkinson’s community. So far, over one million dollars has been raised.

“You can be a champ like my father was and help punch out Parkinson’s”
– May May Ali

May May Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali and long-term campaigner for people with Parkinson’s, is set to join the action on Saturday. She spoke exclusively to Parkinson’s Life on the importance of early diagnosis and what makes the Unity Walks so special.

Read our interview with May May here.

“Be one of the thousands bringing us one step closer to curing Parkinsons”
– Michael J. Fox

Let us know if you are heading to the event on Twitter and join the conversation via #puw2015. Post your photos and live updates and we’ll feature the best ones in a special report next week.

Full details on the Unity Walk here.

Last Month

Go Back

Share this story

Comments

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: April

A roundup of Parkinson’s news stories in April

28 daily prompts to help you “live well” with Parkinson’s disease

Find out about the Davis Phinney Foundation’s 2022 calendar

My dad’s diagnosis inspired me to become an Ironman

Ironman athlete inspired by father's response to Parkinson's

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

For decades, scientists have known that Parkinson’s is associated with the death of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Now, researchers from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, US, have discovered the specific subtype of brain cells that die in Parkinson’s disease. Using a technique called single-cell RNA signalling, which enables the individual analysis of cells within a tissue for activity and protein production, researchers identified 10 subtypes of dopamine-producing cells within the donated brains of people who died from causes unrelated to Parkinson’s. The team carried out the same investigation on people who had died with Parkinson’s or a condition with similar symptoms called Lewy body dementia. They discovered that only one subtype of the cells had reduced in number – which suggests many of these cells had died while the people were living. It is hoped that the findings could lead to better understanding of Parkinson’s causes and…

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

In an innovative trial by North Bristol NHS Trust, UK, surgeons have succeeded in implanting a tiny deep brain stimulation (DBS) device into a person’s skull. Their aim? To address symptoms of Parkinson’s. Designed with a tiny battery system that is inserted into the skull, the DBS device delivers electric impulses to targeted areas of the brain through electric probes. In doing so, it works to address abnormal brain cell activity associated with Parkinson’s – and may help to ease symptoms. One of around 25 patients selected for the year-long trial has described the device’s impact as “amazing”. Commenting on the results of the trial so far, consultant neurologist Dr Alan Whone of North Bristol NHS Trust said: “We are hopeful that if these findings hold up, we will have a significant technical advance by which to improve Parkinson’s care across the world.”

Could a specialised smartwatch support people with Parkinson’s disease?

A specialised smartwatch, which could help those living with Parkinson’s to better manage their condition, will be rolled out to thousands of people in England. The Parkinson’s Kinetigraph, developed by the National Health Service (NHS) in Plymouth and the University of Plymouth, UK, contains sensors designed to monitor the wearer’s activity and buzz with medication reminders. Data collected from the watch – which detects excessive movement, immobility and sleep disturbances – is shared with healthcare providers, allowing for improvements to physiotherapy and prescriptions based on patient needs. Commenting on the smartwatch’s launch, NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: “Not only is it better for these people living with Parkinson’s, but it is also more efficient for the NHS, freeing up space and time in hospitals for our hard-working staff.” UK health secretary Sajid Javid, meanwhile, described the Kinetigraph as a “fantastic example of how technology is driving cutting-edge innovation…

All fields required

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Enter Email Confirm Email
Country of residence*
About me*
- I have Parkinson's disease
- I am a partner / carer / family / friend of someone who has Parkinson's
- I am a healthcare professional with an interest in Parkinson's
- I work for a Parkinson's disease organisation
- Other
CAPTCHA
*
- By proceeding you agree to our
Phone
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Rock and stroll in NYC – US Unity Walk

Global update

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 7 April 2015

Prep: Cook: Serves:

“You can be a champ like my father was and help punch out Parkinson’s”
– May May Ali

“Be one of the thousands bringing us one step closer to curing Parkinsons”
– Michael J. Fox

Last Month

Share this story

Comments

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: April

Resources & Tools

28 daily prompts to help you “live well” with Parkinson’s disease

Europe

My dad’s diagnosis inspired me to become an Ironman

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

Could a specialised smartwatch support people with Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Rock and stroll in NYC – US Unity Walk

Global update

Author: Geoffrey ChangPublished: 7 April 2015

“You can be a champ like my father was and help punch out Parkinson’s” – May May Ali

“Be one of the thousands bringing us one step closer to curing Parkinsons” – Michael J. Fox

Last Month

Share this story

Comments

Related articles

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: April

Resources & Tools

28 daily prompts to help you “live well” with Parkinson’s disease

Europe

My dad’s diagnosis inspired me to become an Ironman

Researchers have finally identified brain cells linked to Parkinson’s disease

Tiny DBS implant shows potential to advance Parkinson’s disease treatment

Could a specialised smartwatch support people with Parkinson’s disease?

{title}

Subscribe

Sign in

“You can be a champ like my father was and help punch out Parkinson’s”
– May May Ali

“Be one of the thousands bringing us one step closer to curing Parkinsons”
– Michael J. Fox