Strength in Community: The Hamill Kerr Challenge's Impact on Parkinson's CareJoin us for a heartfelt chat with Alesia Pendleton as we dive into the incredible journey and mission of the Hamill Kerr Challenge. Tune in to hear how they're making a real difference in the lives of those with Parkinson's.
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April 11th is Parkinson's Awareness Day in honor of James Parkinson'sMayor Nancy Vaughn of Greensboro, NC
Presenting the formal proclamation that April 11th is Parkinson's Awareness Day in honor of James Parkinson's (first to bring the "Shaking Palsy" to light). Proclamations: Greensboro, Jamestown, High Point, Burlington. |
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Registration begins for Hamil-Kerr Challenge
By Norma B. Dennis
Feb 7, 2024
If you have not already begun to train for the upcoming Hamil-Kerr Challenge, now is the time to begin. This year’s event will be held April 6 beginning at High Point City Lake Park. Events include a 5K run, 10K run (twice along the 5K course if runners choose to do it) and a 25, 40 and 55-mile bike ride. There is also a Family and Friends walk around the park in support of the challenge.
Check-in is at 8 a.m., bike riders leave at 9 a.m. and runners and walkers leave at 9:15 a.m.
Deputies will be available to help direct the riders and there will be rest stops and a SAG (support and gear) vehicle. A Hamil family member donates food for the cookout that follows the ride/run/walk and Carol Kerr’s sons Ryan, Brandon and Matt, along with their families, manage the 25-mile rest stop and Brandon handles the SAG.
Carol Kerr, originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s but later told she had Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy, began the fundraiser in 2006 as a way to contribute to Parkinson’s research in honor of John Hamil, a friend at Jamestown Presbyterian Church. Known as the John “Bulldog” Hamil Walk, it consisted of laps around the track at Ragsdale High School.
“My husband Mike is a cyclist and in 2008 he helped add a cycling element to the fundraiser,” said Alesia Pendleton who, along with her husband Mike, organizes the yearly fundraiser challenge.
The event moved from the school to Jamestown Presbyterian Church but after outgrowing that space traveled west to the City Lake Park.
When Kerr passed away in 2012, board members of the 501(c)(3) non-profit decided to change the name of the event to the Hamil-Kerr Challenge.The purpose of the fundraiser also changed from contributing to Parkinson’s research to focus on people in the community with Parkinson’s.
“A lot of other organizations were providing money for research and we wanted to help those locally who were dealing with the disease,” Pendleton said.
By Norma B. Dennis
Feb 7, 2024
If you have not already begun to train for the upcoming Hamil-Kerr Challenge, now is the time to begin. This year’s event will be held April 6 beginning at High Point City Lake Park. Events include a 5K run, 10K run (twice along the 5K course if runners choose to do it) and a 25, 40 and 55-mile bike ride. There is also a Family and Friends walk around the park in support of the challenge.
Check-in is at 8 a.m., bike riders leave at 9 a.m. and runners and walkers leave at 9:15 a.m.
Deputies will be available to help direct the riders and there will be rest stops and a SAG (support and gear) vehicle. A Hamil family member donates food for the cookout that follows the ride/run/walk and Carol Kerr’s sons Ryan, Brandon and Matt, along with their families, manage the 25-mile rest stop and Brandon handles the SAG.
Carol Kerr, originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s but later told she had Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy, began the fundraiser in 2006 as a way to contribute to Parkinson’s research in honor of John Hamil, a friend at Jamestown Presbyterian Church. Known as the John “Bulldog” Hamil Walk, it consisted of laps around the track at Ragsdale High School.
“My husband Mike is a cyclist and in 2008 he helped add a cycling element to the fundraiser,” said Alesia Pendleton who, along with her husband Mike, organizes the yearly fundraiser challenge.
The event moved from the school to Jamestown Presbyterian Church but after outgrowing that space traveled west to the City Lake Park.
When Kerr passed away in 2012, board members of the 501(c)(3) non-profit decided to change the name of the event to the Hamil-Kerr Challenge.The purpose of the fundraiser also changed from contributing to Parkinson’s research to focus on people in the community with Parkinson’s.
“A lot of other organizations were providing money for research and we wanted to help those locally who were dealing with the disease,” Pendleton said.
Photo courtesy of www.hamilkerrchallenge.com
Funds raised help provide classes with Betsy Lerner, a certified Rock Steady Boxing coach, cycling classes at Ragsdale Family YMCA and exercise sessions taught by Prince Deese, a coach at A.C.T. Fitness Studio and Gym who has worked with Parkinson’s patients for 25 years.
With a doctor’s recommendation, people with Parkinson’s may participate in the LSVT BIG program. Conducted by a physical and occupational therapist, the program deals with bigger movements of the body, i.e., taking bigger steps and using louder voices.
The symptoms for every patient with Parkinson’s can be different and their treatment journey can reflect that difference. Although exercise does not cure Parkinson’s, it does provide temporary relief from symptoms associated with it.
“We recently added new services,” Pendleton said. “We have music therapy three times a month lead by Randi Lee with Magnolia Music Therapy, and one-on-one home training with Powell Strength and Conditioning. Proceeds from the fundraiser also pay for several fun-filled gatherings throughout the year.”
The gatherings include lunch,exercise sessions for those with Parkinson’s, networking for their familiesand special programs featuring educational topics. Examples of recent topics discussed were a question and answer program by Sam Forrester (Pharm D) from Deep River Pharmacy last October and a talk about the tier levels of homecare held Jan. 20 of this year by a representative from Hallmark Homecare.
Registration for the challenge is currently available at www.hamilkerrchallege.com. Preregistration is $35 and $40 the day of the challenge. That includes lunch and a wristband for free park rides during the event. Early registration guarantees a T-shirt while supplies last. Non-participants may purchase a lunch ticket for $10 that includes park rides. Children under 3 are free.
“We were not able to hold the challenge for three years due to Covid, but were able to continue providing programs through Zoom meetings with money we had on hand,” Pendleton said. “Now we are back in business. We started holding the challenges again in 2023. God is good.”
For the first time in the history of the event a rain date has been set for April 13.
“We got rained out last year, and had to move the challenge back to Jamestown Presbyterian the following week,” Pendleton said. “We appreciate that High Point Parks and Recreation worked with us to allow us to have a rain date at the park.”
The goal for this year is $50,000, which includes funds raised from registration of participants and donations from individuals and corporate sponsors. To register for the challenge, help sponsor it, volunteer on the day of the event or to donate money in memory or honor of a loved one, call Pendleton at 336-365-2745 or go to www.hamilkerrchallenge.com.
With a doctor’s recommendation, people with Parkinson’s may participate in the LSVT BIG program. Conducted by a physical and occupational therapist, the program deals with bigger movements of the body, i.e., taking bigger steps and using louder voices.
The symptoms for every patient with Parkinson’s can be different and their treatment journey can reflect that difference. Although exercise does not cure Parkinson’s, it does provide temporary relief from symptoms associated with it.
“We recently added new services,” Pendleton said. “We have music therapy three times a month lead by Randi Lee with Magnolia Music Therapy, and one-on-one home training with Powell Strength and Conditioning. Proceeds from the fundraiser also pay for several fun-filled gatherings throughout the year.”
The gatherings include lunch,exercise sessions for those with Parkinson’s, networking for their familiesand special programs featuring educational topics. Examples of recent topics discussed were a question and answer program by Sam Forrester (Pharm D) from Deep River Pharmacy last October and a talk about the tier levels of homecare held Jan. 20 of this year by a representative from Hallmark Homecare.
Registration for the challenge is currently available at www.hamilkerrchallege.com. Preregistration is $35 and $40 the day of the challenge. That includes lunch and a wristband for free park rides during the event. Early registration guarantees a T-shirt while supplies last. Non-participants may purchase a lunch ticket for $10 that includes park rides. Children under 3 are free.
“We were not able to hold the challenge for three years due to Covid, but were able to continue providing programs through Zoom meetings with money we had on hand,” Pendleton said. “Now we are back in business. We started holding the challenges again in 2023. God is good.”
For the first time in the history of the event a rain date has been set for April 13.
“We got rained out last year, and had to move the challenge back to Jamestown Presbyterian the following week,” Pendleton said. “We appreciate that High Point Parks and Recreation worked with us to allow us to have a rain date at the park.”
The goal for this year is $50,000, which includes funds raised from registration of participants and donations from individuals and corporate sponsors. To register for the challenge, help sponsor it, volunteer on the day of the event or to donate money in memory or honor of a loved one, call Pendleton at 336-365-2745 or go to www.hamilkerrchallenge.com.