2025 STEP FORWARD ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED, BUT IN-PERSON EVENT WALK-UPS ARE WELCOME.
Step Forward is Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania’s (PFWPA) annual family-friendly fundraising event. It is a day for the local Parkinson’s community to come together and raise awareness and money so everyone who is impacted by this disease feels heard and supported. This event is kid-friendly, and open to anyone who wishes to spread hope and joy to the Parkinson’s community! There will be live music, exercise demos, a Step Forward walk, food, beverages, a vendor village, games and more! We will be adding more information to this page in the coming weeks.
Dr. Ray Dorsey to attend Step Forward on September 27th! Have you ever wondered why some people with Parkinson’s progress faster than others? Is this phenomenon a result of continued exposure to the environmental issues that can cause PD to begin with? And how do we prevent future generations from experiencing a similar fate?
We are thrilled to announce that PFWPA is an official tour stop for Dr. Ray Dorsey as he presents on his new book “The Parkinson’s Plan.” The Parkinson’s Plan includes a roadmap for the 25 things you can do to slow the progression of Parkinson’s, or prevent the diagnosis of Parkinson’s in your loved ones. At Step Forward, Ray will lead a presentation on the book, answer questions and autograph books. Dr. Dorsey is a true rock star in the PD community!
For those that sign up for Step Forward, you will receive a complimentary copy of “The Parkinson’s Plan” (1 book per family).
We all need to prioritize our health, improve lifestyles and ensure that future generations won’t face a PD diagnosis. Books are available for purchase at Step Forward (at a discount), or feel free to pre-order your book to be delivered to your home. The link to the book is The Parkinson’s Plan – by Ray Dorsey & Michael S Okun (Hardcover) : Target. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to interact with Dr. Dorsey!
Step Forward is a fundraising event. We are encouraging everyone to raise money and awareness for PFWPA so we can continue to offer valuable programming, events, webinars, and resources for the local Parkinson’s community. We have a free fundraising toolkit with information on Peer-to-Peer fundraising and tools (email template, visuals for social media, etc) you can use to make your fundraiser a success!
Let’s put the FUN back in fundraising! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and we can’t do it without you! Register today and invite your friends and family to support the Western Pennsylvania’s Parkinson’s Community and enjoy an afternoon of good fun!
STEP FORWARD SCHEDULE:
11:00am-11:30am: Check In/Registration and the Vendor Village is open
11:30am: Opening Remarks by Christine Haythorn, CEO & introduction of Ray Dorsey
11:30am: Ray Dorsey speaks about his book and Q & A
12:00pm: Warm up with 1 song with Jeannine Hartman & then the walk begins
· Jeannine Hartman, Parkinson’s exercise professional, will lead the shorter walk (0.18 mile for 1 loop or 0.36 mile for 2 loops)
· Pasean Evans & Chris Steinmetz, Parkinson’s exercise professionals, will lead the longer walk (0.33 mile for 1 loop or 0.66 mile for 2 loops)
12:30pm-1:15pm: Lunch is served, and the Vendor Village is open
1:15pm-1:30pm: Cardio drumming session with Eric Horton, Parkinson’s physical therapist
1:30pm: Raffle sales end
1:30pm-2:00pm: Winners of the 50/50 and basket raffles will be announced. The top team fundraiser and top 3 individual fundraisers will be named. Closing remarks by Christine Haythorn, CEO.
*The Spurs of the Moment Band will be entertaining us throughout the day!
When you register to attend as an adult, you will automatically get an individual fundraiser page for Step Forward. You can either:
1) Fundraise for Step Forward (Yes!) As an individual or join a team. OR 2) You can forgo fundraising and just attend the Step Forward event on September 27th.
If you choose to fundraise (woo hoo!), you can customize your individual page to your liking and share that page with family and friends to spread the word and raise money for PFWPA programming and events! Your registration fee for Step Forward will go towards your fundraising total. Example: if you purchase 1 adult ticket for Step Forward for $35, that means you have already raised $35 for your individual fundraising page! We will be giving prizes to the top individual fundraisers and top teams.
50/50 Raffle Tickets: Purchase 50/50 raffle tickets so you can have a chance to win some money! Half of the amount raised from raffle ticket sales will go to PFWPA and the other half will go to the raffle winner. The winner will be randomly selected and announced at Step Forward on September 28th. You will also be able to purchase more tickets in-person at Step Forward if you choose. $20 for 25 tickets (you can buy as many packs of 25 tickets as you would like. You do not have to be present at Step Forward to win.
Raffle Basket Tickets: We will have raffle baskets with different themes each valued over $100. Buy your raffle basket tickets now or at the event on September 27th. The more tickets you have the better chance you have to win a great prize basket! Winners must be present at Step Forward to receive basket. You will receive your purchased tickets upon check-in at Step Forward. You may place your tickets in your desired basket(s) after you receive them. $10 for 5 tickets.
We want to celebrate our top Step Forward fundraisers! The top fundraising team will receive a pizza party with the PFWPA staff! The top 3 individual fundraisers received one of the following prizes:
2025 Top 3 Individual Fundraising Prizes:
1st Place: $200 Visa Gift Card
2nd Place: $100 Visa Gift Card
3rd Place: $50 Visa Gift Card
