Parkinson’s Association expects 800 walkers in annual fundraiser April 9 at Liberty Station

The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego will hold its 20th annual walk to raise money for its programs supporting people living with the disease and their family caregivers on Saturday, April 9, at Liberty Station in Point Loma.

More than 800 walkers and 45 teams are expected to participate in the event, which is held in April each year in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder caused by dying neurons in the part of the brain that controls movement, making it difficult for the person to walk, talk and maintain balance, according to the National Institute on Aging. It can cause trembling and stiffness, as well as depression, sleep problems, memory issues and fatigue.

There is not yet a cure for the condition, but patients can ease their symptoms through medicines, therapy, exercises and surgery, like deep brain stimulation.

The Parkinson’s Association offers support through mentorship, free mobility devices, educational programs and support groups.

Walk chairwoman Lisa Evans got connected to the nonprofit a few weeks after receiving her diagnosis in November 2019 and was able to get the accurate information she needed, easing some of her anxiety, she said.

“You can go on the internet and Google ‘Parkinson’s’ and you see all kinds of things that may be alarming or scary, thinking, ‘Oh no, that’s what’s going to happen,’” Evans said. “Just searching on the web, not all the things you read are always true, whereas the organization listed things there that I found would be more factual and I could understand them.”

The organization is hoping to raise $100,000 during this year’s fundraiser, Executive Director Chris Buscher said.

The event will be hosted by anchorman Carlo Cecchetto of CBS-TV/8 and will include more than 40 exhibitors sharing information about support groups, health service providers, home safety, mentorship and exercise programs for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at Liberty Station’s NTC Park at 2455 Cushing Road, with the walk starting an hour later. For more information or to register, visit parkinsonsassociation.org.