By: Joseph Poulos

North Muskegon – The Michigan Parkinson Foundation and Muskegon Power Walkers are holding a fundraiser on
Sep. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place at the VFW Hall (Post 8846) at 1061
Witham Drive in North Muskegon.

The event will feature a silent auction and crafts with baked goods and potted mums for sale. All
proceeds will go to benefit the Muskegon Power Walkers Team for the upcoming Parkinson’s
Hero Walk in October.

The upcoming fundraiser is seen as particularly beneficial to those within the Parkinson’s
community, who represent a sizable portion of citizens in West Michigan.
“I think it’s very important because there are more people with Parkinson’s in the area than you
would think,” said Barb McFadden, the facilitator for the Muskegon Parkinson’s Support Group.
“There are a large number of people with Parkinson’s on the west side of the state.”

While official reasons for this are numerous and not fully understood, the organization believes
this makes taking part in the event to be particularly helpful.

“It is a complicated disease and the causes are not fully known,” McFadden said. “They think it
could be related to the chemicals and pesticides used on the farms in the area. We want people
to know that there is support out there for them and we are trying to help find a cure.”

The Parkinson’s Hero Walk is a community-driven event held yearly to help raise funding and
awareness for the disease. It seeks to celebrate the “heroes” in the Parkinson’s community,
including those living with the disease as well as those who support and treat them including
healthcare workers, caregivers, family and friends. The latest walk will take place in Grand
Rapids on October 10.

“We’ve been involved with it for about 3-4 years,” McFadden said. “The Parkinson’s Foundation
in Michigan is 43 years old and they do quite a few things for those with the disease in the state.
They provide assistance, education and exercise classes for patients, caregivers and
professionals.”

There are also a number of support groups available to those within the community.
“We do have a support group available in the area,” McFadden said. “It’s no charge. We have
one on the first Wednesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at the Norton Shores Library. There is
also a caregiver support group on the second Tuesday of the month at 12 p.m. at Tanglewood in
Norton Shores.”

For those interested, there is a Facebook page available at Michigan Parkinson Foundation with more information.