The 2023 edition of the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta’s annual Step ‘n Stride, held last Saturday morning at Bud Miller All Seasons Park, was nothing short of a success with funds raised and awareness spread. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
A crowd of roughly 100 gathered at Bud Miller All Seasons Park to walk and raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease at the annual Step ‘n Stride, put on by the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta.
Fundraising walks took place throughout the province last weekend with walks in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lloydminster and Lethbridge on Saturday and Cochrane, Camrose, Grande Prairie and Medicine Hat on Sunday. The annual walk helps raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson Plus Syndromes, which affects more than one in 500 people across Canada, and more than 15,000 Albertans.
“Today, we are fundraising to help support the people living with and affected by Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson Plus Syndromes across Alberta, and right here at home in the Lloyd region,” explained Brandi La Bonte, one of many organizers with the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta who travelled to the Border City from Edmonton to help put on the walk.
“Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition, so it’s slow, but unfortunately, it keeps progressing as the disease goes on, so it robs people. It robs people of their ability to move, their ability to talk, their ability to smile at others … that can make many feel very small. The point of events like this is to let people know ‘We live big, we’re going to live out loud and live our best lives, in spite of Parkinson’s.’”
La Bonte noted this year’s provincial fundraising goal was $400K with $250K already raised by Friday. As of Tuesday morning, the total raised sat at $276,886.70 with donations still being accepted online until Oct. 16.
“The money raised in Lloyd stays in Lloyd and the surrounding area to cover things such as one-on-one access via in-person, online, or over the phone to supports they may need,” she said. “People living with Parkinson’s as well as their families have access to these supports … so, if you’re having a stressful day or the anxiety is getting the better of you, you’ve got somebody to talk to.
“We have a support group in Lloydminster to help connect people to not only our resources, but community resources as well. There’s amazing programs right here in Lloydminster and there are people we can connect you with and there’s education to be had.”
Outside of Lloydminster, Parkinson’s disease support groups can also be found in Vermilion and Bonnyville.
“The Parkinson Association of Alberta operates across the province with Lloyd being one of our major hubs,” she said. “The biggest risk factor for Parkinson’s disease, unfortunately, is simply getting older. As Alberta’s population ages, as the global population ages, we’re seeing more and more people being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.”
La Bonte also noted the estimated number of people currently living with Parkinson’s disease in Alberta is between 12,000-15,000.
“While one person gets diagnosed with the disease, it affects the whole family, and the community as a whole who want to love and support people.”
