Pamela Strom helps set up the first stand up paddle event to benefit the Parkinson's Disease Foundation in Southern California. The event will bring paddlers together for a great day and a great cause.

The Standup to Parkinson's event will be held on October 22nd in Newport Beach, California.

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NEWPORT BEACH, California – The Standup to Parkinson’s event will be held on Saturday, October 22nd at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina in Newport Beach, California. The event will include elite, novice and kids stand up paddle races. All proceeds from this unique stand up paddle event will benefit the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (www.pdf.org).

The spark of a personal cause is what ignited event organizer Pamela Strom to envision and organize the Standup to Parkinson’s event. As an avid stand up paddler with a family member living with Parkinson’s Disease, Pamela was inspired to bring paddlers together for this great cause.

“Back in 2010 I partnered with the Parkinson’s disease Foundation in their program for grassroots fundraising, it’s called PD Champions.  From there I began reaching out to the SUP community asking if anyone knew of a race benefiting Parkinson’s disease,” says Strom.

The Standup to Parkinson’s event will include races for elite and novice paddlers as well as a race for kids to participate in. The entry fee for the event is $40 ($50 day of the event) and registration begins at 7 AM and races begin at 9 AM.

Building an event from scratch is not easy, but Strom has received great support from friends, family and all sponsors involved. “I’ve had nothing but an amazing open-armed response from all sponsors leading up to the race; the generosity of time, services, product and monetary donations has been remarkable,” Strom comments.

With her goal to raise $5,000 for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Strom expects a strong turnout to the event, “My hope has been for 150 racers as well as spectators, friends and family.” Even if you can’t make it out to the event, you can show your support on Strom’s PFD Champions page.

For more information on the Standup to Parkinson’s event, go to the event’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Standup-to-Parkinsons-Race-a-SUP-o-Run/161991927187529.

For registration details go to http://www.active.com/more-sports/newport-beach-ca/standup-to-parkinsons-race-a-suporun-2011.

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