Scott W. Wood Jr.
Haverhill School Committeeman Scott W. Wood Jr. is calling attention to National Parkinson’s Awareness month and urging residents to support his National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) “Moving Day” walk.
As part of its commitment to people in Massachusetts living with Parkinson’s, the foundation is having a Moving Day fundraising walk in October. Wood, a 2016 Boston committee member, has assembled a team to participate.
“This is an issue that is very personal to me. I hope you will join me in helping find a cure to this horrible disease,” Wood asks.
The foundation will be lighting Boston landmarks in honor of National Parkinson’s Awareness month between April 20 and 29. These include the Zakim Bridge, Norman B. Leventhal Park and Rose Kennedy Greenway, which will be lit blue to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease and the estimated one million Americans and four to six million people worldwide living with the second most common neurodegenerative disease. There is no cure for the disease and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
This month, supporters from fellow organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association and the National Parkinson Foundation join together to meet with house of representative members in the hopes of educating congress about the needs facing the Parkinson’s community.
Moving Day helps show movement is beneficial and proven to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s, improving flexibility and mobility. “The aim is to encourage people to stay active and move for better health,” according to a statement.
To join Wood’s walking team or make a contribution, visit http://www3.parkinson.org/site/TR?team_id=41099&fr_id=2502&pg=team.