The Anderson family, owners of the Glen Valley pumpkin patch and farm tour , knew they had to support each other when matriarch Dorothy was diagnosed with Parkinson鈥檚 disease three years ago.
Albert Anderson, Dorothy鈥檚 husband, said denial was a more fitting word.
鈥淧eople don鈥檛 always say what鈥檚 happening to them,鈥� he explained, pointing out that initial symptoms often go unchecked or get misdiagnosed. 鈥淲e want to raise awareness so people know.鈥�
The Andersons got involved with various Parkinson鈥檚 groups and charities over the past several years, attending seminars and resources to learn how to fight back against the disease known for slowing motor skills, causing tremors, and even affecting a person鈥檚 speech.
Daughter, Gail Anderson-Macadam, said the perfect opportunity for them to raise awareness came when the annual 91原创/Surrey Parkinson鈥檚 Society of B.C. fundraiser looked as though it wasn鈥檛 going to happen.
鈥淐oordinators for the Surrey/91原创 area were looking for a space to host the walk,鈥� Gail explained. 鈥淚t used to be held at Bear Creek Park 鈥� there are 25 different walks happening all across B.C. on the same day. We felt that there is enough of a community here, we can do one; the roads are safe and it鈥檚 a beautiful location.鈥�
Aldor Acres will hold the Parkinson SuperWalk on Saturday, Sept. 7 at their farm. The walk will take place around the family鈥檚 country neighborhood, starting at Aldor Acres and covering several different paths around 252nd Street.
The shorter walk is 2 km and the longer will be 3.6 km 鈥� both flat and wheel-chair friendly. A refreshment station at a neighbour鈥檚 home will be held at the half-way point.
鈥漈he walk will be multi-generational 鈥� a lot of grandparents coming out with their grandkids. The disease does tend to affect an older demographic,鈥� Gail said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have about 40 volunteers and are expecting 100 walkers.鈥�
People joining in on the walk can donate online or fill out a pledge form and bring funds to the walk at Aldor Acres. Everything raised will go towards research, physio and speech therapy, and exercises seminars through the Parkinson Society.
Live music by BCCMA nominated performer Alyssa Nielson, appointments-by-donation with a reflexologist, door prize giveaways, and a free barbecue sponsored by Otter Co-op and Landstone Homes will be on site throughout the day.
Aldor Acres will also have all of their petting zoo animals up front and centre for walkers to meet, including goats, calves, and llamas.
Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the walk will go from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coinciding with the SuperWalk, Albert and Dorothy will be celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary on the exact same day. The couple have been on the farmsite since 1971, with Aldor Acres open to the public now for more than 30 years.
The SUPERWALK also acts an early kickoff for the Andersons upcoming autumn festivities. Their official season opens Sept. 21 when all of their pumpkins in the adjacent patch start to take shape.
鈥漌e have no idea what to expect but we see this an annual event that can continue to grow. The main take away for people is awareness 鈥� we don鈥檛 talk about it enough or share what鈥檚 going on.鈥�
Province-wide, the fundraising goal is $300,000 with the Anderson鈥檚 hoping to raise $15,000.
Donation pledges and walk registrations can be competed at
Registration can also be done on the day on site at , 8301 252 St.
Read More: VIDEO: Aldor Acres celebrates 30 years
鈥淭his is not necessarily a walk in the park鈥� but more of a walk in the countryside,鈥� Gail added.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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