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What a Party!

If you missed this year's fundraiser, please mark your calendars to come next year! Of course you know we always hold two events over the weekend so here is what happened:

Saturday, April 21, 2012 – The Skyline Gala

Despite an initially threatening weather forecast we had a beautiful evening of stars and the skyline of Atlanta viewed from the top of the Nelson Mullins Law firm building (201 17th Street at Atlantic Station). Since the event started with cocktails at 6pm the skies were still blue and folks gathered on the terrace to enjoy that atmosphere and view. We also had the free beer tasting out on the terrace courtesy of Red Hare Brewery while inside the crowds mixed and mingled with free champagne and an open bar while checking out and bidding on the 50+ silent auction items. This year's crop of auction items was amazing! We had the wonderful beach condo vacations but also lots of art work, specialty personal services, jewelry, sports packages, memorabilia, a trip to NYC with hotel/airfare and a visit to a popular TV show – we even had Tango lessons! So there was something for everyone.

APDA is so grateful to our guest Master of Ceremony for the evening – the Emmy-award winning Monica Pearson who donated her time and talent to make our fundraiser so special. She was delightful as she introduced and bantered with special "celebrities" like Donald Trumpett, Marilyn Monroe and our headline entertainer (young) Elvis!!! While Elvis wooed the ladies in the audience and had his picture taken with almost everyone, Marilyn helped to animate the men to buy more auction items. And the Donald… well, he naturally outbid everyone.

Toward the end of the evening the sky was dark and the stars were brilliant so there were more opportunities for viewing the Atlanta skyline and having your picture taken with that lovely backdrop. We truly believe this was an evening to remember and want to thank all those benefactors who came and participated. We are especially grateful to our financial sponsors, our in-kind donors and the people who gave us auction items, including…

Monday, April 23, 2012 – "Driving Parkinson's Away" Golf Tournament

For the 7th year in a row, Smoke Rise Country Club hosted our annual golf tournament. Of course we were hoping for a little balmier weather this year since we held the event a full month later than last year, but golfers had an extra challenge with fairly strong winds and brisk temperatures. Nevertheless, everyone made it back happily and safely to the clubhouse by 5pm for the awards dinner and presentations. We want to thank the AT&T Lenox Life Club for their stalwart volunteer work along with several other hardy folk who braved the winds. Also many thanks to Ed Voyles Acura for offering to give away a 2012 Acura TL for the Hole- in-One contest – no winners this year.

Thank you, again, to everyone for supporting these events and contributing to their great success! Please be sure to check back often for our next event coming soon and mark your calendars for the April 2013 Gala and Golf Tournament!

Annemarie Schwarzkopf
Board President

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) was founded in 1961 to facilitate patient and family support, medical research, and education. APDA carries out its mission through a network of chapters, Information & Referral Centers and affiliated support groups which provide education, counseling, assistance and referrals throughout the United States. There are now 65 chapters, 62 Information & Referrals Centers and more than 250 affiliated support groups from coast to coast. The Atlanta Chapter was chartered in 1985 to further the mission of APDA in the Atlanta area. The chapter was then changed to the Georgia Chapter in 2002.

The American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. has placed a vast emphasis on grassroots organizing of Information and Referral Centers, chapters and support groups. Since the initiation of Operation Outreach in 1983, the number of chapters, their efficiency, and the funds they have raised have grown dramatically. It is this grassroots structure that distinguishes APDA from other organizations serving people with Parkinson's disease.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a slowly progressive brain disorder resulting in the loss of dopamine production. Dopamine is the neuro-transmitter responsible for aiding in body movements. Symptoms include slowness of movement, tremor, muscle stiffness, and postural instability. To date there is no cure.

The primary purposes of the Georgia Chapter are:

To raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease
To raise funds for Parkinson’s disease research
To plan and execute educational programs with the local Information and Referral Center
To raise funds to support the work of the Association
To raise funds to support the work of the Chapter
To plan and execute Chapter outreach programs for the Parkinson’s community

Those Who We Serve

Our target audience is people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. However our goal is also to serve the medical community and the community at large by raising awareness of the disease and the treatments and support available. The Georgia Chapter works in close cooperation with the Information & Referral Center to provide educational programs featuring topics that relate to Parkinson’s disease and to the caregivers. The Georgia Chapter initiates, funds and implements other outreach programs as requested by our members and our target audience.

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