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1996
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The
First Annual SuperWalk started the trend of
walking at Andrew Haydon Park, in Ottawa’s
west end. Winding pathways, ponds adjoined
by quaint bridges, and beautiful parkland
spread out on the banks of the Ottawa River
made it an ideal location. On 29 September,
100 people raised pledges, walked for
Parkinson’s – and raised $7,000. The
walk was started by Board President Peggy
McLean, and Honorary Chair Peter Van Dusen.
This first walk also set the tone of making
SuperWalk a family day, with a barbecue
lunch and a clown to entertain the children.
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1997
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Registration
at SuperWalk 2002 |
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“We
Walk to Help Those Who Have
Difficulty Walking” – this was
the motto that was introduced for
the Second Annual SuperWalk. On 28
September, only 53 walkers came out,
but together they raised over $5600.
– an increase of 35% per walker
over the previous year. |
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1998
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James
Keogh was specially remembered at the Third
Annual SuperWalk, held on 13 September.
Twenty years earlier, James had volunteered
to undergo one of the first operations for
cell transplantation of his own adrenal
tissue, in the cause of research.
The
family atmosphere grew – imagine finishing
the walk, then enjoying a barbecue lunch,
watching a clown entertain the children with
balloon toys, and listening to the smooth
harmonies of the “Acafellas” singing
quartet. And at the end of the day, almost
$20,000 was raised to support the Society.
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1999
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Almost
300 walkers turned out for the Fourth Annual
SuperWalk, bringing over $25,000 in pledges.
Peter Van Dusen, as Honorary Chair, paid
tribute to Herb Armstrong this year. Herb
was President of the Society from 1989 to
1991, and succeeded in obtaining a grant of
almost $300,000 for local research into
Parkinson’s.
Walkers
completed either a 2 km or 7 km course on
this clear, bright morning at the end of
summer, in Andrew Haydon Park. The Piamonte
Family were the winners in the first Team
Challenge, and were the first to have their
names engraved on the SuperWalk Trophy.
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2000
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The
Fifth Annual SuperWalk was in memory of
Gerhard Herzberg, 1971 Nobel Prize recipient
and Distinguished Research Scientist.
Approximately 250 people raised over $30,000
to help the Society provide services to the
community, and to support Parkinson’s
research. The Caron / Olsen Family was the
Team Challenge winner, and the top local
fundraiser was Alex Howard, who raised
$3,170 in memory of her brother Joe Baicer.
Residents and caregivers from the
Parkinson’s Unit at Saint-Vincent Hospital
joined the walk, making it the first year of
what was to become a tradition for them.
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2001
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Walker’s
in the Sixth Annual SuperWalk were faced
with a record temperature of 31.9oC,
but managed to break another record by
raising almost $40,000 for the Society.
Dominic D’Arcy entertained the large group
with his lineup of talented young singers.
The Team Prize was captured by the Caron
Family for the second year in a row, and the
Individual Prize was taken home by Larry
Haffner. The National Bank, a national
sponsor, also had several teams, and one
from Ottawa was the overall winning National
Bank team in Canada.
The
walk was in honour of Ray Horning, who had
been President of the Society for three
years. His focus was on educating people
about Parkinson’s and raising awareness in
general. He was also instrumental in having
all Parkinson’s patients at
Saint-Vincent’s Hospital brought together
into what is now their Parkinson’s Unit.
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2002
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The
Seventh Annual SuperWalk was dedicated to
Dr. J. David Grimes. He was the Director of
the Parkinson’s Clinic at The Ottawa
Hospital from 1977 to 1997, the CEO of the
Loeb Health Research Institute, and a
Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at the
University of Ottawa. He was always a big
part of Parkinson Society Ottawa, and was
well known as a co-author of One
Step At a Time.
Despite
cool temperatures and strong winds, 336
people gathered in Andrew Haydon Park to
walk and raise money for the Society. And
they raised a record $60,000! The crowd was
entertained by Dominic D’Arcy, as well as
the Kitchen Tested Bluegrass Band, with
David Simmonds, and the children enjoyed
face painting, balloons and the antics of
Franko the Klown.
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Board
President Alan Riccardi with
top fundraiser Glendon Loucks |
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The
top fundraiser astounded everyone by
bringing in $10,720. Glendon Loucks
set a challenge to his former clients
and colleagues in the real estate
business, explaining to them that
whatever pledge they made, he would
match their donation. He anticipated
raising between $2,000 and $2,500, so
imagine his surprise when the incoming
donations reached over $5,000! |
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| The
Team Challenge was another success,
with “Fran’s Fantastics”
(walking for Fran Squire) winning
the trophy. Several teams from the
National Bank were close behind. |
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| Wining
Team - "Fran's
Fantasitics" |
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2003
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The
Eighth Annual SuperWalk was held on Saturday
20 September at Andrew Haydon Park. Franko the
Klown returned to amuse the younger set,
along with face painting and balloons. The
whole group enjoyed Celtic entertainment by
Kevin Dooley. And as a special feature, since
it’s the Society’s 25th
Anniversary, there was a “Pictures for
Parkinson’s” contest. Children 12 and
under asked to give us their rendition of the
Parkinson Tulip – Parkinson’s
international symbol of hope – and all the
finished products will become part of the
“Tulip Garden” on display at the Society
office.
Watch
this website for an update after the 2003
SuperWalk.
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