In Southern Alberta, over 5000 people and their families live with Parkinson's. The Red Deer Marathon Society wishes to acknowledge two runners diagnosed with Parkinson’s – BJ Billings and Bill Nielsen. We thank them for their commitment to the sport of running and to their leadership in building a strong and supportive running community.
The Red Deer Marathon Society has selected “the Parkinson's Society of Southern Alberta” as its charitable organization for 2008/09/10 and will be donating $3,000 from race proceeds each year to support awareness and research for Parkinson’s. The Red Deer Marathon Society has requested that donations raised through our event be directed for use in the Central Alberta Region.
Registration is now open for the Annual Hope Conference for Parkinson's being held on April 30th and May 1st, 2010. Same location as last year - view Registration and Location pdf.
Run for a Cause -
On May 18, 2008, Bill Nielsen ran his 100th marathon in Red Deer. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000 Bill continues to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Research.See photos from the 2008 event.
Media coverage of Woody's 2008 race including video coverage.
Donate three ways:
- Runners - with your Woody’s RV World Marathon and Half Marathon race registration
- Friends /non-runners – Donate online at Canadahelps.org
- Mail your cheque to: “Parkinson's Society of Southern Alberta” c/o the Red Deer Marathon Society, P.O. Box 26068, Red Deer, AB T4N 6X7.
The first time I heard of and had any experience with Parkinson’s was when I was twelve years old, my friends father was shaking all the time and he had trouble speaking. I thought what a terrible illness. Little did I know that fifty years later I would be inflicted with this illness. |
I sat there, stunned, feeling suddenly lost. I really did not know what it was! I was in the prime of my life – running regularly, feeling great! I knew there were some things that were a bit different happening to me, but I chalked most of it up to age and the rest, well, I just ignored! But my Doctor brought it all into reality - |
