Walk-it for Parkinson's slated for Sept. 11 in Port Elgin

Sunday, Sept. 11, walkers from Kincardine, Port Elgin and the surrounding area will gather in North Shore Park, Port Elgin, to raise funds in support of those living with Parkinson Disease in southwestern Ontario.

This year, Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario is presenting the first-ever Walk-It for Parkinson's which replaces the Parkinson SuperWalk, formerly held in Victoria Park, Kincardine. All funds raised at the event will remain in southwestern Ontario.

With regular physical activity proven to slow the progression of Parkinson's symptoms, it is the Walk-it for Parkinson's mission to keep the Parkinson's community active.

At 2 p.m., Sept. 11, pledged walkers will put on their pedometers and begin their one-kilometre to five-kilometre walk to join the One-Million Step Challenge across the region.

Shelley Rivard, chief executive officer of the society, is excited to see what the first-ever Walk-it for Parkinson's event will bring.

"We wanted to add something new and exciting to our walk - something that can be incorporated into the lives of our participants year-round," she said. "With Walk-it for Parkinson's focusing on exercise and movement, we can achieve just that. I encourage those with Parkinson's, friends, family and care-partners, to come out, get active and raise funds!"

Parkinson's is a slow, progressive neuro-degenerative disorder, making activities of daily living difficult for someone who has the disease. Primary symptoms associated with Parkinson's include tremors, rigidity, slow movement, postural instability, loss of balance control, soft speech, and sleep disturbances. Other symptoms include depression, anxiety, dementia, memory problems, and difficulty with communication.

To register or find our more information about Walk-it for Parkinson's, visit www.Walk-it.ca.