Pedaling for Parkinson’s surpasses $1,000,000 raised.
In 2011, friends Peter Istvan and David Newall founded “Pedaling for Parkinson’s,” an annual cycling fundraising event in support of Parkinson Canada. Pedaling for Parkinson’s spans three days, cyclists pedal over 100,000 strokes, one for each Canadian living with Parkinson’s.
This year, Peter and David’s event reached a significant lifetime milestone. Together with riders, volunteers, and sponsors, Pedaling for Parkinson’s surpassed over $1,000,000 dollars raised. No small feat for a passion project started by the two friends. Inspired uniquely by David’s father and a close friend/neighbour of Peter’s both living with Parkinson’s disease. The pair in turn, have shared their inspiration in the community of people that now share in their goal to help people living with Parkinson’s today and their hope for a world without it tomorrow.
With a cumulative total of over $1,000,000 raised to date, these pedaling heroes have helped to fund innovative research projects by some of the brightest minds in Canadian Parkinson’s disease research, through the Parkinson Canada Research Program. To date, they’ve provided funds to support eight research projects within the Research Program with proceeds from this year’s event allocated to new projects. Projects like those of Dr. Joel Watts, who is a recipient of a Pedaling for Parkinson’s New Investigator Award. Dr. Watts is investigating how specific prion proteins may spread through the brain and he is applying this knowledge to identify the underlying molecular processes of Parkinson’s disease. His work could lead to new therapeutic targets for stopping the spread of Parkinson’s disease.
About Parkinson Canada
Parkinson Canada is the voice of Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease. From diagnosis to discovery, the organization provides education, advocacy and support services to people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers and health care professionals. The Parkinson Canada Research Program funds innovative research to search for better treatments and a cure. Parkinson Canada is an Imagine Canada accredited organization. Visit www.parkinson.ca.
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For more information, please contact:
Jon Collins 1-800-565-3000 ext. 3370
jon.collins@parkinson.ca
