PARKINSON’S ASSOCIATION of SOUTHWEST FLORIDA presents Special Events for 2025

2025 SPECIAL EVENTS Get Ready to Spring into Action and enjoy the Fun 

The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) proudly announces its 26th Annual Step Up for Parkinson’s Walk, scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 9:00 am to Noon at North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Rd, Naples, FL 34109. The event aims to raise awareness and funds supporting vital programs that benefit over 7,000 community members diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in Collier County and southern Lee County.

PD affects over a million Americans and is the second-most common degenerative neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. With no current cure and someone diagnosed with PD every nine seconds, the event strives to shed light on the impact of this condition on individuals and their families.

Mary Schoeffel
Executive Director of the PASWFL

“The event attracts hundreds of supporters who walk for those who are losing that ability because they are affected by a disease that is associated with a progressive loss of motor control,” said Mary C. Schoeffel, CFRE, Executive Director of the PASWFL. “Our organization is the local resource for our community members diagnosed with PD, neurodegenerative diseases, and their care partners. We provide movement, speech, education, and wellness classes, in addition to support groups because research shows that a proactive approach to managing PD during the early stages significantly prolongs a person with PD’s ability to stay active and counteract some of the degenerative effects of PD.”

Based on current statistics from the U.S. Census and studies by the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Southwest Florida has one of the largest PD populations in the country, creating a growing demand for the organization’s programs. The services and support the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida provides are complimentary to members with Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners. These programs are offered without government funding and are made possible through donations from community members and fundraising special events. The 26th annual walk on February 8, 2025, supports the critical services provided by the PASWFL.

For twenty-five years, PASWFL has provided front-line evidence-based, effective programs and services that improve the quality of life, and educate, enrich, and empower our community members affected by PD and related neurological diseases. Each week the PAWSFL offers more than 20 activities for members with PD and their care partners as well as the greater SWFL community. No fees are associated with becoming a member; the membership application is available online atwww.parkinsonassociationswfl.org.

WHAT: 25 th Annual Step-Up for Parkinson’s Walk     

WHERE: North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Rd, Naples, FL 34109 

WHEN: Saturday, February 8, 2025, Registration at 9:00 am, Walk at 10:00 am

WHO: Presented by and benefitting the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida

COST: Registration is $25 per person before January 7, 2025, $30 online after that date, $35 the day of the event, $10 for children under 12 years, and $5 for furry friends (pets). Registration for the walk includes a t-shirt, music, valet parking, and much more. Registration Opens November 13, 2024

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Register by January 9, 2025, to guarantee a t-shirt.

INFORMATION: ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org (239) 417-3465

WEBSITE: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/parkinsons-walk-2024.html

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/share/Nq2rFY7zUj1bkpft/

Gather your family and friends and join the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida as we Step Up for Parkinson’s Disease. Join us for our in-person walk at North Collier Regional Park in Naples. The fun-filled day will include a T-shirt, snacks, refreshments, a one-mile walk, entertainment, and raffles. In-person walk registration begins at 9:00 am | Walk begins at 10:00 am. When you choose to walk, you support the thousands of people in our community with PD to live well! All proceeds from this event will support our free programming that helps people live well with PD.

For more information or to register online at ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org/events or call 239-239-417-3465. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Mary C. Schoeffel with any questions at MSchoeffel@ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org or 239-417-3465

WHAT: Living Well with PD – an Education Symposium

WHERE: Naples Hilton, 5111 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34103

WHEN:  Tuesday, April 24, 2025, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

WHO: Presented by the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida

COST: Registration is $65 through February 25, 2025, and $75 after that date (includes lunch
and presentation). VIP admission: $125 (includes preferred seating, program, and lunch).

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2025

INFORMATION: ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org (239) 417-3465

WEBSITE: https://parkinsonassociationswfl.org/educationsymposium.html

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/share/8NcDfexJWmhiz947/

The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida presents Living Well with PD: an Education Symposium. The symposium brings together leading experts in the field of Parkinson’s Disease research and treatment to help persons with PD to live well. The program is open to persons with PD, their family members, care partners, and the medical community. Registration opens
on January 14, 2025.

For more information or to register online at ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org/events or call 239- 239-417-3465. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Mary C. Schoeffel with any questions at MSchoeffel@ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org or 239-417-3465

About the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida: Helping community members live well with PD for over 25 years. The mission of the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida is to enrich the quality of life and empower people touched by Parkinson’s and related neurodegenerative diseases through exceptional programs and services. Services and support are always free and extended to the care partners and families of community members with PD. For more information, visit  ParkinsonAssociationSWFL.org or call 239-417-3465.