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As one of the official charities of the LA Marathon, Team Parkinson raises funds for medical research. Inspiration and much help have come from the Parkinson's Alliance and the Parkinson's Unity Walk. Thanks to the support of the Tuchman Foundation and several businesses, all our expenses are paid. So every dollar we raise goes directly to research. To join the Team, become a sponsor either for the whole Team or for an athlete who is registered for any of the LA Marathon's events on March 3: Acura bicycle tour, LA Marathon and LA Times 5k walk&/run. Or if you are an athlete yourself, ask people to sponsor you. Please call 877-735-2864 or see our website for details: www.teamparkinsonla.org Only a few of the "athletes" on Team Parkinson are people with Parkinson's. But the inspiration for this event was John Ball, a PWP who has run 6 LA Marathons since his diagnosis in . His son and daughter are joining him this year, while his wife Edna and his father walk the 5K. John credits his training for the Marathon for his general good health, and his ability to cope with PD on minimal medication. Edna is the intrepid Chair of the 2002 team. In 2000, I walked the LA Marathon with my nephew. This year I'm in training, not hoping to beat my (only) "personal best" of 9hrs.18min., just hoping to finish. For me, a combination of T'ai Chi and walking helps me keep going. For some of us with PD, we truly either "use it, or lose it." Since I'm basically a couch potato, I needed to do something crazy like this to find motivation to exercise. Besides it's fun! There are bands playing, crowds cheering, and lots of little children handing out cups of water. Best of all, we're raising awareness of PD, earning some money for research, and providing the various Parkinson's organizations with an opportunity to work together. People are coming from New Jersey, Wisconsin, Texas and even Japan to take part. If you live in the LA area or will be visiting on the first weekend in March, come say hello to the volunteers at the Team Parkinson booth at the Quality of Life Expo at the LA Convention Center on Thursday, Friday & Saturday (2/28, 3/1, 3/2),admission free. You could take a turn at the stationary bicycle Bike-a-Thon there to raise money for the Team. And on race day, Sunday, March 3, come enjoy the day at our cheering squad's corner across from Staples Center: NW corner of Olympic and Figueroa Fund the research, find the cure. Thank you, Mary Yost, age 53, diagnosed 1990, symptoms 1980 PIEN member/lurker/appreciator since 1994 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] www.teamparkinsonla.org 1(877) 735-2864 toll free ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn