Stamp Out Parkinsons 2012 with Cupcake Friday Project

Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic neurological condition that affects a small area of cells in the mid-brain. Gradual degeneration of these cells causes reduction in a vital chemical known as dopamine.

It’s estimated that as many as 1.5 million Americans are affected by the disease. PD affects more persons that those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, ALS–commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease–muscular dystrophy and myasthenia gravis combined. Although 15% of PD sufferers are diagnosed before the age of 50, the disease usually develops around age 65. Parkinson’s affects one out of 100 people over the age of 60.

At this moment, there is no known prevention or cure for Parkinson’s, but thanks to strides in public health, healthier lifestyle choices, and support programs, many PD patients live well into their 80s.

My grandmother, Betty Hamvas Ward, lost a 20+ year battle with Parkinson’s Disease at the end of 2001. You may be a little familiar with Betty if you’ve ever popped over to the “About the Project” page … her photo as a young blonde bombshell graces the page.

I know I tend to keep my posts here baking related, but, in a way this is. Betty was instrumental in my early years of baking. She taught me to turn out a fierce chocolate chip cookie and she was always very encouraging of my art and writing. She’d get a real hoot out of this project, or at least think I’m a little nuts for trying to tackle 52 cupcake recipes in a year.

For the past three years, Ray and I have walked in the Philadelphia Parkinson’s Walk as Team Betty. As we’ve fundraised for this event over the years, we’ve met more people who have been touched by PD. So this year, we walk as Team Cupcake Friday Project in honor of Betty, as well as all of the other folks we’ve met.

The walk is April 21, and I’ll be fundraising my butt off until then. Please, if you have a moment and are willing to give, click on either the image above, or the badge to the right. Any amount can help, from $5 to $105. Help us make a difference in the lives of those with Parkinson’s disease. I know I won’t quit walking until a cure is found.