New is the word to describe this year’s Walk for Parkinson’s Disease! It has a new name — Minnesota Walk for Parkinson’s Disease. It has a new location — Mount Normandale Bandshell and Park in Bloomington. It has a new date — May 14. And it has a new sponsor — American Parkinson Disease Association.

There is also something new in Freeborn County — a Parkinson’s disease support group.

It meets at 9:30 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month in the Senior Center at the Skyline Plaza in Albert Lea. The purpose of these meetings is to provide a place for Parkinson’s patients and families or caregivers to visit, exchange information and support one another.

As a result this year our family has set a new goal — to raise even more money to help improve the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s disease in Minnesota, through research, advocacy, community building and increasing public awareness.

But we need your help. Monies are tight for many of us this year, but we are asking you to help us meet this challenge by making this a sacrifice to assist all those afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. We — Kim Ruble Gooden, 64609 120th Street, Emmons, MN 56029; Douglas Ruble, 72746 Co. Rd. 46 W, Albert Lea, MN 56007; and and Peter Ruble, 12701 127th Street So., Hastings, MN 55033 — have watched as this disease progresses in our dad. It is a debilitating disease.  It has a significant impact on mobility, communication and thinking or memory skills.

Donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted, and can be mailed to any of the addresses listed below as soon as possible. Checks should be made out to Parkinson Association of Minnesota.

Finally, please join us in praying that a cure is found soon.

Thank you for helping us make a difference.  Together, we will help improve the care and lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease.

Kim Ruble Gooden

Emmons