American Parkinson Disease AssociationGreater Los Angeles Chapterwww.apdala.org

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Over 500 people joined together in Santa Monica to walk a few miles along the bluffs to raise money for research for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease

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APDA LA is a nonprofit community based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of anyone affected by Parkinson's Disease. We do this by providing information, education, support and raising money for research.

Because the causes of PD are not known, there is currently no scientifically validated preventive course to reduce the risk of Parkinson's onset. The single biggest risk factor for PD is advancing age.

The exact cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown, although research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If a continuum existed, with exclusively genetic causes at one end and exclusively environmental causes at the other, different patients would likely fall at many different places along that continuum.

The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. was founded in 1961 to "ease the burden and find a cure" for Parkinson's disease. Headquartered in New York, the organization focuses its energies on research, patient support, education and raising public awareness of the disease. APDA is the country’s largest not-for-profit grassroots organization serving Americans with Parkinson’s disease with Chapters, Information & Referral Centers and Support Groups.

APDA has contributed more than 30 million dollars for PD research and another 25 million dollars to patient and caregiver support and education.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of unknown cause that affects nearly 5 million individuals worldwide.

PD belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.

The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor in hands and arms, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, slowness of movement and postural instability. At present, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, but a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms.

What is Parkinson’s Disease

At present, there is no cure for Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s can strip people of momentum and hope.

APDA LA helps improve the lives of people with PD and their caregivers.

The money raised from the walk-a-thon goes entirely to research for a cure.

Young onset Parkinson's disease is when PD strikes people between the ages of 21-40. Managing the disease can be challenging for a younger person and that person’s family.

The symptoms associated with PD lead people to experience varying degrees of change in their personal, family, and work lives.

However PD typically progresses slowly so these changes are not necessarily drastic and they do not occur all at once.

2009 walk-a-thon participants

APDA LA IS A 501 C(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AND ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

JOIN APDA LA IN RAISING AWARENESS AND RAISING MONEY FOR A CURE

Sunday, April 18, 2010 9 am : RegistrationMeet in Santa Monica 10 am : Welcome Program & Expo

10:30 am : Walk Begins11 am – 12 pm : Expo & Fair

All donations raised in Los Angeles stay in Los Angeles.

The Annual Walk-a-thon is an event we do that contributes 100% of net donations to research for a cure. At other events proceeds fund education and outreach programs.

Past recipients include the University of California at Los Angeles, Brentwood Biomedical Research Institute and the University of Southern California.

In 2006 we raised over $20,000In 2007 we raised over $60,000In 2008 we raised over $60,000In 2009 we raised over $80,000

With increased sponsorships and in-kind donations, our goal for 2010 is to raise $100,000 for research for a cure.

Students come from across Southern California to perform community service.

Our Volunteers range from 8 to 88 years old

Over 50 people volunteered, and that’s not counting the Brownie troops from Ventura to Santa Monica with over 60 helpers.

An expo featured products and services from more than 15 sponsors to help people with Parkinson's Disease.

Sponsorship opportunities are available

Benefits

Parkinson’s Beach Brigade presented by (TBA) with an opportunity to speak during welcome

Fosters goodwill and name recognition

Increases visibility with over 400 walkers each year and an additional 1,000 people who sponsor walkers

People of all ages attend our walk and there is a diverse demographic so your name will be in front of a prime target audience

Logo on walk-a-thon website, marketing materials, event t-shirts and promotional items Display your company logo at registration Prime location of your 6 ft. table with canopy for displaying or distributing company products & promotional materials

Walk-a-thon Sponsors

Premier Exhibitor Sponsor- $500 6 ft. table for displaying or distributing company products & promotional materials Logo on event t-shirts, website & in event program Exhibitor Sponsor- $225 6 foot display table at the event Logo in event program

Sponsorship OpportunitiesTitle Sponsor- $20,000Event Naming opportunity Opportunity to speak for 2 minutes during event welcome program Plus all Silver Sponsorship benefits

Gold Sponsor- $15,000Full page ad in event program Plus all Silver Sponsorship benefits Silver Sponsor- $10,000Logo on home page of walk website Logo on all Walk marketing materials (materials printed prior to your sponsorship are excluded) Logo on event t-shirts, promotional items & in event program Display of your company logo at registration Prime location of your 6 ft. table with canopy for displaying or distributing company products & promotional materials