The 2015 UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson's will be held Jan. 23 and 24.
The event, which will be held in memory of event founder Colleen Wuebben, will run from noon Jan. 23 to noon Jan 24. Proceeds go toward clinical and basic science Parkinson's research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Parkinson's Health Development Program, a non-profit, local program that offers affordable exercises and activities to improve quality of life for persons with Parkinson's.
The opening ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Jan. 23. Closing ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. on Jan. 24. For the third straight year, Jeremy Maskel, anchor/reporter for NewsWatch Seven (KETV) will emcee the opening ceremony. Montez, on-air radio personality for KISS-FM (96.1), will emcee the closing ceremony.
The previous four skate-a-thons at UNMC netted more than $130,000.
Last year, four skaters skated all 24 hours. This year, four teams have been formed to raise pledges. One member of each team plans to skate all 24 hours. Two of these skaters are Westside High School students.
One of the skaters who skated all 24 hours last year, John Seminara, plans to skate backwards for 12 consecutive hours this year beginning at midnight and going to the event closing at noon.
The public is invited to attend and participate. Cost is $10 for individuals. The registration fee includes skate rental and ice access. People can skate as long as they wish.
The UNMC Ice Rink is located east of 42nd Street, about halfway between Dewey Avenue and Emile Street. A heated tent will allow skaters and spectators a place to stay warm. There also will be hot drinks, food and snacks. Guest emcees will keep the event moving, as skaters groove to continual music.
The Wuebbens came up with the idea for the Skate-a-thon in 2008. Prior to moving the event to UNMC in 2011, they flooded their back yard and held the event at their home for the first three years.
Colleen was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2005 at the age of 52. She died in 2013 at the age of 60.
Skaters and non-skaters can register online or make a pledge here. Walk-in registration also will be available at the event.
Sponsorships are still available. For information on becoming a sponsor, click here.
Schedule of events
Jan. 23
- Noon: Skating and countdown begins
- 1 to 2 p.m.: Lunchtime Laps
- 3 p.m.: Afterschool snack
- 5 p.m.: Official opening
- 8 p.m.: Dance Off on Ice (all included)
- 10 p.m.: Pizza and Pajama Skate
- 10:30 p.m.: Thrift Shop Giveaway
- Midnight: Halfway through photo and countdown check in
Jan. 24
- 1 a.m.: Shiver Skate
- 2 a.m.: Fire and Ice Hour
- 3 to 6:30 a.m.: Open skating
- 6:30 a.m.: Sunrise yoga
- 8 a.m.: Time to make the donuts
- 9 a.m.: Dance Party continues
- 10 a.m.: Hockey Player Special
- 11 a.m.: Final hour festivities
Location
The skate-a-thon will take place on UNMC’s Ice Rink, which is located east of 42nd Street about halfway between Dewey Avenue and Emile Street. It is located north of the Sorrell Center and south of the UNMC College of Pharmacy.
Facts about Parkinson’s disease:
- Is a motor system disorder resulting from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
- The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s are:
– tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw and face;
– rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk;
– slowness of movement; and
– postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.
- As many as one million Americans currently live with Parkinson’s. This is more than the combined number of people with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
- Approximately 60,000 more are diagnosed each year, and this number doesn’t reflect the thousands of cases that go undetected.
- An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease.
- Affects about 3 percent of the population over the age of 65.
- Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson’s than women.
- Incidence will double in the next 40 years with the number of elderly people soaring.
- Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated 4 percent of people with Parkinson’s are diagnosed before the age of 50.
- There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but a variety of medications provide relief from the symptoms.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu and follow us on social media.
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