4th annual walk to benefit research on Parkinson’s

The Parkinson's Association of Alabama will host the fourth annual Parkinson' s Fighter Walk on Saturday, March 5, at the Samford University Track and Soccer Stadium. 

Karen Virciglio has been involved with the walk since it began, and said it has grown each year since it began in 2013.

“We've had it at Veterans Park in Alabaster every year and loved it there, but we moved it to a location more central to Birmingham,” she said. 

Past walks have raised between $12,000-$17,000. Virciglio said she hopes this year's event raises between $20,000-$25,000. All of the proceeds go to UAB Parkinson's research. 

Virciglio, a Hoover resident who was diagnosed with Parkinson's six years ago, said that many of the participants are patients at the UAB Division of Movement Disorders, which is home to one of the eight advanced enters for research in the country, and she feels they are on the brink of finding a cure. 

“We feel fortunate to have this (facility) in our city,” Virciglio said. “They have several projects going on, and believe they’re going to find a cure. Parkinson’s is a progressive illness, and medicines treat it well, but most have side effects, some of which can be pretty bad on the body. We are hoping until they find a cure, they find better medicines and treatments.”

The one-mile walk begins at 9 a.m. Dr. David Standaert, Professor and Chair of the UAB Department of Neurology will be the guest speaker before the event begins. There will also be a silent auction and door prizes. 

“Some people who may not even be able to walk it will still come out and enjoy the event,” Virciglio said. 

Registration fee is $30 and available at runsignup.com through March 1. Registration will also be available at 8 a.m. the day of the event.