Show your support for people with Parkinson’s this Valentine’s Day at the annual fundraising walk in North Collier Regional Park.
The Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida is a small team doing big things. They offer 125 classes every month, covering everything from movement and exercise to speech, education, support, and just having a good time. This Valentine’s Day, they’re inviting at least 400 people—families, grandkids, great-grandkids, strollers, and, of course, grandparents—to come together for their signature walk. It’s part celebration, part learning experience, and it keeps the programs running strong.
While the group focuses on Lee and Collier counties, their reach goes way beyond. People from across the country log into their website, drawn by the focus on living well with Parkinson’s. Members can access research, watch videos from local and global doctors, and stay up to speed on the latest. You can check it out at parkinsonassociationswfl.org.
Parkinson’s isn’t rare here—roughly 7,000 people in Lee and Collier counties have it, though the real number is probably a lot higher. Schoeffel points to research showing the disease is underreported by up to half, mostly because it’s hard to diagnose. People usually think of tremors, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. Parkinson’s can affect sleep, mood, memory, and more—sometimes years before those classic symptoms even show up.
Exercise helps, especially when it comes to depression and anxiety. That’s why this walk matters. It’s a chance for people with Parkinson’s—and everyone who cares about them—to get moving together.
Sign up starts at 9 a.m., and the walk kicks off at 10. It’s $40 for adults, $10 for kids under 12, and just $5 if you bring your dog. Head over to North Collier Regional Park at 15000 Livingston Road in Naples. Bring your energy, your family, and your heart.
