Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeParkinson’s Fun Run raises awareness
Nearly 50 people attend Parkinson’s event at Sparks Stadium
Shaun Scott
An inaugural Parkinson’s Fun Run brought a host of individuals together to promote awareness and raise money via donations and a silent auction on April 19 at Sparks Stadium in downtown Puyallup.
The event was sponsored by the American Parkinson’ Disease Association. By the time the event was completed, the Parkinson’s Fun Run raised $1,438.
Jeff Magin, who is one of the coordinator’s of the event, said he was glad to see close to 50 people in attendance in the first year of the event.
“For the first year, we have a good amount of people here,” Magin said. “Everyone here has the opportunity to walk or run on the track for one hour. We call it an hour to empower. We’re happy people are out here having a good time. April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness month. We thought it would be great to have this during April because of that.”
Shannon Tait, who serves as a Parkinson’s support group facilitator, couldn’t wipe the smile from her face shortly before the Fun Run kicked off.
“It’s really exciting seeing people come out for this kind of event,” Tait said. “There is so much support for people with Parkinson’s in this community and this is raising awareness about the disease. The money from donations and the auction is just a bonus.”
Joe Villenbave, who is a longtime Puyallup resident and former Puyallup Vikings quarterback in the late 1970s, didn’t want to miss out on a chance to support people he knows with Parkinson’s Disease.
“After Jeff (Magin) gave me a call, we knew we were going to come out for this,” Villenbave said. “It’s all about supporting those who are suffering from the disease plus it’s good exercise walking around the track for an hour. I think there would have been more people here if the weather was better. I think as the years go on this event will continue to become larger.”
Fellow Puyallup resident Gregg Bradley wasn’t going to miss out on an opportunity to support individuals suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
“My mother has Parkinson’s disease and I want to do anything I can to help and support those who have it,” Bradley said. “Just raising awareness about it is such an important issue. There are so many people out there who are effected by it.”
Gregg’s son Jared was the only person in attendance running around the track at a breakneck speed. Every other participant was walking.
“My grandma has Parkinson’s and I wanted to come out here and show her how much I support her,” Jared Bradley said. “I’m currently writing a research paper in my science class at Rogers High School about Parkinson’s. I want to learn as much as I can about it.”