Rasheda Ali Joins Tampa Bay Residents to Get "Moving" for Parkinson's Disease

TAMPA, Fla., March 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) today announced that Tampa will be a host city for Moving Day^®—a grassroots campaign that spotlights Parkinson's disease (PD) across cities in the Unites States.  The event will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015—World Parkinson's Day—from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the University of South Florida and will raise awareness and funding to improve the lives of patients and families affected by the disease in the Tampa Bay community.

The National Parkinson Foundation is also pleased to welcome Rasheda Ali to Moving Day^® Tampa Bay as a participant and special guest of the event.

"As an advocate and family member of one touched by Parkinson's, I believe in what the National Parkinson Foundation's Moving Day^® event has accomplished," says Ali. "This inspiring event empowers individuals and families to meet the challenges of living with Parkinson disease through active participation in walking and other movement activities."

People who take part in Moving Day^® become part of a nationwide movement to beat PD by supporting disease education and outreach, cutting-edge research aimed at better treatment and care for PD patients, advancement of clinical care through healthcare professional training, and raising general awareness about the disease. Moving Day^® promotes awareness of Parkinson's both nationally and in the Tampa Bay area. Proceeds raised from the campaign go toward supporting local services for people living with the disease and research leading to better treatments.

Each walk will feature a "Movement Pavilion," with activities 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. The aim is to encourage people to stay active and move for better health.

"It is my hope that bringing Moving Day^® to the Tampa Bay area will raise awareness in the community of the critical needs of their neighbors, including those in the Parkinson's community," said Bob Sheehan, PD patient and Event Chair.

To learn more about Moving Day^® and how you, your family and friends, and/or your company can get involved, please visit www.movingdaytampabay.org. Moving Day^® is made possible through the generous support of our National Moving Day^® Partners: Lundbeck, US WorldMeds, UCB and Right at Home. Additional national and local sponsorship opportunities are available.

About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people with PD. When 60 to 80 percent of the dopamine-producing cells in the brain are damaged, and do not produce enough dopamine, the motor symptoms of PD appear. In the United States, 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 $189 million in care, research and support services. 

For more information about the National Parkinson Foundation, please visit www.parkinson.org or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636). For more information about Moving Day^® Tampa Bay and to register your walk team, visit www.movingdaytampabay.org.

Contact:     
Annie Long
404-400-2705
[email protected]

SOURCE National Parkinson Foundation

Related Links

http://www.parkinson.org