Moving Day®, A Walk for Parkinson's, is Coming to Atlanta on November 9, 2013

--Are Atlanta Residents Ready to Move?—

ATLANTA, Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Katie Couric, the Honorary National Chair of the National Parkinson Foundation's (NPF) Moving Day® campaign, and the Moving Day® Atlanta Committee are asking Atlanta residents to get ready to move on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 9:00am at Georgia Tech (www.MovingDayAtlanta.org). Moving Day® is the first grassroots campaign to spotlight Parkinson's disease (PD) awareness on a national level. The importance of good care for people with PD is near and dear to Ms. Couric—her father, John Couric, 90, died from complications due to PD.

"Parkinson's is a challenging and often debilitating disease that robs too many people of their ability to lead a full life. I watched in awe as my father bravely battled this disease and know that he greatly benefited from care, which significantly minimized his symptoms by addressing all aspects of his well being," says Katie Couric, Honorary National Chair of Moving Day®. "Every individual coping with this disease should have the same quality care my Dad did, and that's why the work of the NPF is so critically important."

Moving Day® is a campaign to raise awareness and funds through annual fundraising walks. Each walk will feature a "Movement Pavilion," with stations such as yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, dance and much more. Studies show that movement is beneficial and proven to help manage the symptoms of PD, improving flexibility and mobility. Even vigorous exercise such as biking and running has been shown to potentially slow down progression of the disease. The aim of the walk is to encourage people to stay active and move for better health.

"We are delighted that Katie Couric continues to serve as the Honorary National Chair of Moving Day® to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease, and to highlight NPF's focus on improving the quality of Parkinson's care for every person diagnosed with this disease," states NPF President and CEO Joyce Oberdorf. "With her help, we are better able to reach people of all ages and abilities about the role that movement and exercise plays in managing symptoms and in keeping people with Parkinson's healthy."

Moving Day® will raise awareness of PD both nationally and in the Atlanta community. All proceeds raised from the campaign go to support local services for people living with the disease.

"My husband Ben was diagnosed at the age of 28 and navigating through all the changes has been difficult. Events like Moving Day® are so important to not only raise awareness for this debilitating disease but to foster a community that supports each other. Sitting still is not a choice; we need to keep on moving to make a difference for those living with Parkinson's," says Effie Jackson, Moving Day® Atlanta Committee Member.

Moving Day® Atlanta is FREE and open to the public. To learn more about how you, your family and friends, and/or your company can get involved, please visit www.MovingDayAtlanta.org. 

Moving Day®  is made possible, in part, through the generous support of National Partners UCB, Medtronic, US WorldMeds and Right at Home and thanks to our local sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor UCB, Silver Sponsor PT Solutions and Bronze Sponsors TGS Media, Big Peach Running Co., Smith & Howard, Health Mark, Inc. and Everything Is A Party, LLC. Additional national and local sponsorship opportunities are available. 

For more information, contact Moving Day® Atlanta's Coordinator, Annie Long, at 404-400-2705 or [email protected].

About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people with PD. When approximately 60 to 80 percent of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain are damaged, and do not produce enough dopamine, the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear. In the United States, 50-60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, adding to the one million people who have Parkinson's disease. It is estimated that four to six million people around the world have Parkinson's.

About the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF)
Founded in 1957, the mission of the National Parkinson Foundation is to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson's disease through research, education and outreach. NPF has funded more than $172 million in care, research and support services. For more information about the National Parkinson Foundation and the Moving Day® event, please visit www.parkinson.org or call toll-free, 1-800-4PD-INFO.

Contact:
Annie Long, Moving Day Atlanta Coordinator
O: 404-400-2705 / C: 713-823-1398
[email protected]

SOURCE National Parkinson Foundation