A record 540 skaters turned out for the fifth annual UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson’s. The 24-hour skating event at the UNMC Ice Rink began at noon Jan. 23 and concluded at noon Jan. 24. The previous record high for skaters was 400.
The event is held in memory of event founder Colleen Wuebben, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2005 at the age of 52 and died in 2013 at the age of 60.
See a photo album of this year’s event here.
Rink closes Saturday
Saturday will be the final day of skating for the season at the UNMC ice rink. The rink, located just east of 42nd Street, midway between Emile Street and Dewey Avenue on the north side of the Sorrell Center, will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on that day.
Jenny Knutson, daughter of Ted and Colleen Wuebeen and one of the event coordinators, credited the unseasonably warm weather to the record number of skaters. She said more than 1,000 people attended the event this year.
Knutson said early estimates show that more than $12,000 in donations was collected at this year’s skate-a-thon. She said additional money will be raised through online pledges that have not yet been processed.
The five skate-a-thons at UNMC have netted more than $140,000 in proceeds.
“This event seems to get bigger every year,” Knutson said. “It is so much fun and just an awesome way to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease. The enthusiasm level increases every year, and it’s great to see some of the same people come back every year.
“Friday night, two gentlemen with Parkinson’s disease stopped by the skate-a-thon and picked up a brochure. They said they just wanted to find out who we were. It was incredible.”
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.
Two skaters, Ronnie Stark and Chris Rush, were able to skate all 24 hours this year. This is the second consecutive year that Stark has skated all 24 hours. It was the first year that Rush skated in the event.
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.