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Ironman Athlete Aids Parkinson's Research Web-posted Jul 22, 2004 By KAROLYN GLOWE Special to The Daily Oakland Press As if the physical demands of the Ironman Triathlon weren't enough, 29-year-old Matt Buese of Bloomfield Township has taken on a challenge of another kind - raising money for Parkinson's disease research. More than three years ago, his mother, Carol Buese, noticed a sore shoulder and a tremor in her thumb. After nine months of narrowing down the possibilities, the cause was identified as Parkinson's disease. By that time, the tremor in her thumb had spread to her right arm. With the help of sisters in nursing, she was connected with Dr. Peter LeWitt, director of the neuroscience laboratory at the William Beaumont Hospital's Research Institute and a professor of neurology at Wayne State University. "I thank my lucky stars I ended up with Dr. LeWitt," she said. Through LeWitt, she became involved in a study, one that has prevented her symptoms from advancing in the last year and a half. Because of her willingness to participate in Dr. LeWitt's research, Matt Buese is helping to fund it further. As a participant in the Janus Charity Challenge, Matt Buese and other athletes are given the opportunity to raise money for the 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization of their choice. In return, the beneficiaries of the top 30 fund-raisers at each triathlon race will receive donations from Janus Capital Group, the money management company that provides the program. For the first place participant in the challenge, that will mean an additional $10,000 donation to their selected charity. As part of Beaumont's Neuroscience Research Program, Dr. LeWitt said diagnostic clues for Parkinson's and the development of new therapies are being examined. A possible environmental cause of the disease in humans is also being investigated. "Our research has been looking at a soil-based bacteria that, in animals, produces something that looks like Parkinson's," he said. Innovation in research is often made possible by grants such as the one Matt Buese is offering, he said. Watching his parents overcome the obstacles associated with Parkinson's while maintaining good character has been motivating for Matt Buese. In the face of adversity, he said, people have the choice to deny it or face it. His mother has faced it. Having raised more than $17,000 to date, he said seeing the support of a wide web of family and friends has been a humbling experience. The Ironman will be held in Lake Placid, N.Y., this Sunday. With the big day rapidly approaching, Matt Buese, who has participated in 30 or 40 triathlons in the past five or six years, has been putting the final touches on his 18-week training program. After weeks of rigorous biking, swimming and running, he said he is mentally, emotionally and physically prepared to compete. SOURCE: The Oakland Press Local News, Jul 22, 2004 http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/072204/loc_20040722050.shtml * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn