Since 2004, my wife Gayle and I have been involved with raising necessary research funds to help find a cure for Parkinson’s.
This years' annual Parkinson’s Walk was held at Mt. Normandale
Lake Bandshell in Bloomington, Minnesota.
The weather didn’t want to cooperate with our walk, but as I told
the gathering crowd of approximately 900 walkers, "What’s a
little rain when we are all here to support our loved ones who are
battling Parkinson’s." Gayle and I had a great time meeting so
many families and their friends that were there to support their
loved ones affected by this deadly disease.
Gayle and I got involved with the Parkinson Association of
Minnesota, now called National Parkinson Foundation Minnesota
(NPFM) since January of this year, because this disease affected
my dad for many years. We have had nothing but positive
feelings since we first met Eileen Smith, a volunteer for
Parkinson’s. Eileen has been so helpful in educating us and
helping get us involved in the Annual Parkinson Walk.
The Annual Parkinson Walk is not about us, but it’s about raising
funds and making people aware of how Parkinson’s affects so
many families. We are proud to be Honorary Co-Chairs for this
annual walk.
We are also proud to say that this year’s walk raised more than
$100,000. We thank everyone who donated toward this great
event. Also, thank you to all the volunteers who made this walk a
success. We are sure that Paul Blom, President of NPFM, is very proud of all of you too. I know Gayle and I are!
This is not the only event that NPFM has throughout the year.
There is the Parkinson’s Day at the Ballpark, at Target Field, on
Saturday, July 16. The same day the Twins are retiring my
number 28. How about that!
Then, there is the 9th Annual Golf Tournament, on Monday, July
25, at Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington, Minnesota.
There are also other events that are being held and if you want
more information please go to www.parkinsonmn.org.
You can also go to my new website at www.circlemebert.com
where Gayle and I are selling some Circle Me Bert apparel for
adults and children, where part of the proceeds of these sales
will go to Parkinson’s. Also go buy your "Bert Burger" at
Wendy’s where 10 cents of every burger sold will go to
Parkinson’s.
Gayle and I thank you for reading this article because we want
everyone to get involved with a fund raiser, whether it’s
Parkinson or not.
Have a great day and you are all "Hereby
Circled,"
Bert Blyleven
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