One Step Closer
Outpouring of support at the Parkinson’s Unity Walk

Every April people living with Parkinson’s disease, along with their caregivers, co-workers, families and friends gather in New York City’s Central Park for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease research. The event unites the strength and spirit of the entire Parkinson’s disease community.

At the first Walk, in 1994, there were 200 participants. This year, although the weatherman had predicted rain, more than 10,000 people joined together at the 14th annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk. After inspiring speeches from Former Attorney General Janet Reno and Maryum "May May" Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter, among others, prize drawings and announcement of the top teams and individual fundraisers, thousands of people and more than 400 teams carrying signs of support and hope, walked along the tree-lined, wheelchair-accessible, 2-mile circular path under blue skies, sunshine, and gentle breezes.

This year, $1.8 million was raised for research, proving to be the most successful Walk yet. Since its inception, the Walk has made a significant impact, raising nearly $9 million. With 100 percent of donations given to research, the Walk provides the public with a direct opportunity to help the Parkinson’s disease community and change the lives of the millions of people affected.

Credited with helping increase awareness and the amount of money raised this year is the “One Step Closer” fundraising guide, which provides helpful tips and tools to support fundraising efforts. Designed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., the proud partner and premier sponsor for the eighth year, the guide provides information and tools to assist individuals in their mission to raise awareness and increase support of the Parkinson’s Unity Walk in their own community. This unique tool is available free for download at www.unitywalk.org, and includes creative fundraising ideas, flyers and additional communication template materials.

In addition to having a landmark year for fundraising, this was a year of many firsts for the Walk. It was announced that the Ubell Prize for Parkinson Journalism Award, an annual $10,000 award, would be given to a journalist for outstanding contributions to the public understanding of Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders. The award was established to honor the memory of Earl Ubell, a distinguished science and medicine writer who died last year of Parkinson’s at the age of 80.

Also for the first time this year, the Unity Walk was broadcasted through a webcast, allowing people around the country not only the chance to experience the spirit and compassion of the community, but also the opportunity to be engaged and active in the day’s celebration. The webcast can be viewed for a year on the Unity Walk website.

To find out more about Parkinson's disease and the Walk, please visit www.unitywalk.org. You may also call us at 1-866-PUW-WALK (1-866-789-9255) or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .