The Cotie family was the biggest group to "walk-it" together for Bob Cotie at the annual Walk-It for Parkinsons September 10.
Hub Staff
Since moving to Port Elgin in 2016 the Walk-It for Parkinsons fundraiser held at the North Shore Park has seen a steady increase in registrants with 65 people taking part in this year's fundraiser and raising over $18,000.
Held September 10, the local event, previously held in Kincardine, raises money through the Parkinsons Society of Southwestern Ontario and over the past 17 years local walks have drummed up $302,045 which goes towards family support groups, education, advocacy and research funding, with $166,000 towards research and graduate research alone.
Among those walking the multi-use path along North Shore Park to Miramichi Bay were Jennifer Hunter, her daughter Jamie Lynn Kouhi and a handful of family and close friends walking in the memory of Carol Hunter who lost her battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in May of this year at the age of 79. Multiple System Atrophy is a rare, degenerative neurological disorder that affects the body's involuntary functions and falls into the category of Atypical Parkinsonism or Parkinson Plus Syndrome. While Parkinson’s is the most common Parkinsonism, research suggests that approximately 20 percent of people will be diagnosed with another Parkinsons-like condition.
Hunter said it was really tough to see her mother battle MSA. “She was a really active lady and then all of a sudden she started to lose all of her mobility and at the end she really couldn't do much for herself but her mind was still fine so it was hard to deal with the changes.” Hunter said that if her mother knew they were participating in raising funds and awareness locally for Parkinson’s, she would be “thrilled”.
Carol’s granddaughter Jamie Lynn shared a special bond with her grandmother and said that she was “happy to be here” and that her grandmother was just a wonderful person.
Before the walk began the participants were led in a warm-up by local fitness instructor Holly Vanderszwet and were led-off by bagpiper Steven Wolfe.
Sixty-five people participated in the WALK-IT for Parkinsons fundraiser at North Shore Park, September 10, which raised over $18,000 to assist those living with Parkinsons disease and their families locally.
Darcy Howe and Cassidy Rayner volunteered at the annual event held for the third time at North Shore Park.
Owner of Fitness Corner Holly Vanderszwet got the limbs moving before the walk along the North Shore Trail September 10.
The walk began by bagpiper Steven Wolfe leading the way.
In total there were 65 participants that participated in the fundraiser which is up from the previous year's 45 participants.
