The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) announces the full schedule for the 2020 APDA Optimism Walks — a nationwide movement to mobilize and inspire people to step up and help put an end to Parkinson’s disease (PD).

The 18 scheduled events on this year’s calendar includes new virtual events as well as in-person events to be held later in the year.

The 2020 Optimism Walk season kicks-off with four virtual Optimism Walks taking place simultaneously on Saturday, May 31, 2020. Virtual Optimism Walks on the East Coast (based out of Massachusetts and Vermont) will be happening in conjunction with Optimism Walks on the West Coast (California and Washington).

After an online celebration and opening ceremony, participants in all four events will walk separately, but together in solidarity for the PD community. Due to social distancing, participants will be encouraged to walk on their own and share photos and comments using #OptimismWalk.

In-person Optimism Walks are scheduled from August through October taking place in cities across the country, including (but not limited to) Virginia Beach, VA; St Louis; Madison, WI; Warwick, RI; Chicago; Westport, CT; Long Island, NY and more. The full schedule is available here.

Each in-person APDA Optimism Walk is a family-friendly fundraising event that offers a non-competitive walk (between 1-3 miles, distance varies by location), music, educational opportunities, giveaways, fun activities, and more.

Whether virtual or in-person, the Optimism Walk is an important opportunity for friends, families, and individuals who are affected by PD to come together and show support, share stories, get a little exercise, and feel inspired and motivated. It’s an important chance to bond with others who are similarly connected, APDA notes in a media release.

“Not only do the Optimism Walks bring together friends, family and even strangers who are all in this fight together, but the funds raised at each Optimism Walk help APDA provide much-needed support groups, exercise classes designed specifically for people with PD, which includes a wide array of virtual programming we’ve adapted and created to keep people supported, engaged and informed while they need to stay at home,” APDA President & CEO, Leslie A. Chambers, says in the release.

“Access to the right information and support is key to living your best life, and that’s true for the person living with PD as well as care partners, friends and family,” Chambers continues. “APDA is the largest grassroots network serving people with PD and their families. The more funds we raise at each Optimism Walk, the more people we can help every day.”

[Source(s): American Parkinson’s Disease Association, PRWeb]