LOUISVILLE, Ky. 鈥 Rasheda Ali has made it her mission to help people better understand and manage Parkinson鈥檚 disease, a condition her father, Muhammad Ali, battled for more than 30 years. Rasheda Ali will be the featured speaker at Knock Out Parkinson鈥檚 Disease, a special event at the Muhammad Ali Center, Friday, June 9, organized to raise awareness of the disease and the most advanced treatments available.
The event begins at 5 p.m. Following Rasheda Ali鈥檚 talk and a buffet dinner, medical experts in Parkinson鈥檚 disease from University of Louisville Physicians will discuss the treatment and management of Parkinson鈥檚 disease.
鈥淲e want to make sure everyone with Parkinson鈥檚 disease has access to the best treatments available,鈥 said Kathrin LaFaver, M.D., director of the UofL Physicians Parkinson鈥檚 Disease and Movement Disorders Center and Raymond Lee Lebby Chair for Parkinson鈥檚 Disease Research in the UofL School of Medicine. 鈥淲e are dedicated to helping each Parkinson鈥檚 patient achieve the best quality of life regardless of race or socioeconomic status.鈥
There is no cost to attend Knock Out Parkinson鈥檚 Disease, but reservations are required. Register and learn more at or call 502-582-7654.
Parkinson鈥檚 disease is a neurodegenerative condition that causes tremor, slowed movements and other physical and cognitive problems. Parkinson鈥檚 affects about 1 million Americans and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and is the 14th leading cause of death in the U.S.
Knock Out Parkinson鈥檚 Disease is a kickoff event for Louisville鈥檚 first , to take place on Saturday, June 10 at Waterfront Park. Moving Day is sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation to engage the community in the fight against Parkinson鈥檚 disease. It will feature a family friendly walk course, a kids鈥 area, a caregivers鈥 relaxation tent and a Movement Pavilion featuring yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Pilates, and other activities, all proven to help manage the symptoms of PD.
Knock Out Parkinson鈥檚 Disease 2017 also is part of the , a six-week series of events commemorating Muhammad Ali鈥檚 six core principles. I Am Ali runs June 3 鈥 July 15, 2017.
To learn more about UofL Physicians Parkinson鈥檚 Disease and Movement Disorders Center, visit or call 502-582-7654.
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