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Walking, Hoping For A Cure To Parkinson's By Brooke Leister / Staff Writer Thursday, April 15, 2004 When Frank Smith participates in next weekend's annual Parkinson's Unity Walk, he will not only be united with those hoping to raise awareness about the disease, he will be united with his family. The longtime Lexington resident will be joined by his son Frank Jr., daughter-in-law May Pian-Smith and grandchildren Ben, 14, and Jade, 7. "Parkinson's is a lonely disease. You don't talk much, you don't do much. Anything you can do as a family is a thrill - a great pleasure," said Smith 77. While Smith has participated in the 2-mile walk, held in New York City's Central Park, twice before, this is the first time he will be joined by his son's family. His daughter Laurie also lives in Lexington with her family, but will be unable to join the team named "Grandpa's Unity Walkers." "The walk is only two miles long but for many with Parkinson's disease it's a long walk. There's a sense of accomplishment with it," said Smith, who was diagnosed with the disease seven years ago. He has lived in town for 52 years and served for 15 years on the Lexington Board of Appeals, 25 years on the Conservation Commission and nine years as a Town Meeting member. The walk was started in 1994 as a grassroots effort by patients, families, support groups and friends who were effected by the disease. Participation has grown from 200 to more than 6,000 in 2002. This year's walk is April 24. "It's one way to get attention and raise money for research," said Smith, who lives with his son and his family. "One reason it's called the Unity Walk is because it's made up of all different Parkinson's organizations and the money is divided among them." In 2001-2002, walkers raised more than $1 million. Past donations have benefited the American Parkinson's Disease Foundation, National Parkinson Foundation, Inc, Parkinson's Action Network, Parkinson's Disease Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, The Parkinson Alliance and the Parkinson's Institute. Smith's son, Frank Jr., said the walk is an ideal way for the family to show support, as well as spend a few days together sightseeing in the city. It will be daughter Jade's first trip to the city. "We took it as a way to show support for my father as a family," he said. Through the walk's Web site - http://www.unitywalk.org - people can make a donation to Smith's walking team. So far, the team has raised $300. The goal is $1,000. Smith's grandson Ben, an eighth-grader at Jonas Clarke Middle School, hopes the walk will raise awareness. "It's something people need to pay more attention to. It doesn't have a cure yet. It's something that needs to be taken care of," he said. His mother said, now more than ever, it is important to support the cause. "We are right on the verge of having break-through therapies. We are so close to making a difference," she said. To make a donation in support of the Parkinson's Unity Walk visit http:www.unitywalk.org To make a pledge in Frank Smith's team name click on "Ways to Give," then click on "Search for a Team." Type in "Grandpa's Unity Walkers." SOURCE: Town Online, Lexington, MA http://tinyurl.com/3xth8 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn