Support Paddling for Parkinson's

December 4, 6:08 PMMinneapolis Outdoor Recreation ExaminerMarie Malinowski

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What is this thing? A plastic sardine can?

 What a great cause! Joe Forrester, U of Virginia med student is paddling from Three Forks, MT to the Gulf of Mexico to raise money for Parkinson's research. Since a friend of mine is currently battling Parkinson’s, this just kind of...you know? Touches my cold, hardened heart. 

I stumbled across Joe's post on the Rapids Riders forum. I know things are tight for some of you, and you may have more pressing issues in your life, but you know what? Nobody is immune from this disease. Even a gift of $10 is appreciated.

Hello all,

Thought I would introduce myself and let you all know a paddling trip I have planned starting in May 2009. My name is Joe Forrester and I am a third year medical student at the University of Virginia and I have organized a fundraiser for the National Parkinson Foundation, Paddling for Parkinson’s.

In 2005 my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This past year my grandfather’s brother died from complications due to Parkinson’s disease. Throughout my experience in medical school, I have seen firsthand the challenges that both patients and families deal with over Parkinson’s disease.

Beginning at the end of May in 2009, I will leave Three Forks, Montana on a 4,000 mile journey. I will be paddling my Current Designs Storm GT kayak "The Mary Agnes" solo down the Missouri River, to its junction with the Mississippi at St. Louis, and then continuing down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. I decided that a trip of this nature had the ability to not only be a fantastic personal journey, but also venue to show support for my grandfather and all people and families dealing with the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

I decided to organize this trip as a fundraiser for the National Parkinson Foundation, a group dedicated to the recognition, treatment and care of people with Parkinson’s disease, people like my grandfather.

100% of all donations to the Paddling for Parkinson’s trip are going to the National Parkinson Foundation. I also have a blog that I will be updating in the months preceding my departure, and that my brother will be updating for me during my trip so that anyone interested can follow my progress. It is my hope that this trip will provide enough interest to raise $20,000 for the National Parkinson Foundation.

Please feel free to view and join my blog. You can set your self up to receive updates about my trip by becoming a “follower” of the blog, available on the lower right hand part of the website. My National Parkinson Donation Site is available at [www.parkinson.org] and is also easily accessed through the blog.

Please feel free to pass this email on to anyone whom you think might be interested in my trip.

Joe Forrester
UVa School of Medicine 2010
JDForrester84@hotmail.com

Fair winds and following seas, Joe.