Parkinson’s SuperWalk sets fundraising record
Third annual Moose Jaw event brings in nearly $17,000 for Parkinson Canada
As donations rolled in for the third annual Parkinson Canada SuperWalk in Moose Jaw, there was an indication the local event could see an impressive final fundraising total.
The Jeep Cruise for Parkinson’s put together by Kurt Luchia brought in over $3,000. A novelty bike race at Palliser Park organized by Richard Molde also raised in the range of $3,000
That was a good start.
Then there was another $1,000 donation by the 15 Wing Fellowship organization on the day of the event, and things start adding up rather quickly.
In the end, it all came together to the tune of $16,974, the most ever raised for the local SuperWalk and $4,000 more than the fundraiser brought in last year. “That’s really, really good, wow,” said Todd McPherson, Parkinson Canada managing director for Saskatchewan, shortly after totaling up the donations. “I really didn’t expect that. This was a really strong year for these guys and they should be proud.”
Needless to say, Moose Jaw SuperWalk organizer Sandra Luchia was more than happy with the kind of support shown by the community when it comes to the battle against the disease.
“We were so excited; you always want to do a little better than the year before and to surpass it by that much was great to see,” Luchia said just after the 100-plus walkers began the circuit through Wakamow Valley.
While fundraising for Parkinson Canada is a major part of the SuperWalk, the event also looks to spread awareness of the disease and the efforts to support those suffering its effects, as well as the battle to find a cure.
“It’s really critical for people to understand that one of our biggest concerns is that over 25 Canadians a day are diagnosed with Parkinson disease and that number is expected to double by 2021,” said McPherson. “So it’s a huge grow- ing problem in Canada and we with Parkinsons Canada are a major part of the support those who have been diagnosed need, the education they need and also education for health care professionals.” That’s in addition to the various major research projects the organization supports, as they pour $1.5 million a year into new ideas and initiatives seeking to find the cause and cure for Parkinson’s. That’s where the SuperWalk fundraising comes into play. The nationwide event raises around $2.25 million a year in Canada, with more than $150,000 of that coming from Saskatchewan. “That’s a significant chunk of revenue for our organization and a good step toward the research and fundraising we need to do,” McPherson said.
It certainly doesn’t hurt when service organizations get involved, too, with Luchia pointing to the 15 Wing Fellowship donation as an example of that.
“It’s like their president said in an e-mail to me, they want to help out and be part of the solution,” she said. “That’s what we’re all trying to do, and hopefully we’ll all be a part of it someday.”