Record Proceeds Recorded From Sunflower Revolution IV

Sunflower Revolution officials celebrated the fifth anniversary of the region’s largest and most important fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease research Thursday at the Queen City Club by announcing record proceeds of $442,000 from the 2007 gala and bike ride.

Since 2004 the Sunflower Revolution and related events have raised $967,000 for Parkinson’s disease research and wellness programs at the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and University Hospital.

Numerous Sunflower-funded research projects are in progress at the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, a center of excellence within the Neuroscience Institute.

Sunflower organizers also announced that Joe Broderick, MD, chairman of the UC neurology department and research director of the Neuroscience Institute, and his wife, Donna, will chair the 2008 Sunflower Revolution gala. Honorary chairs are Bob Kohlhepp, vice chairman of Cintas, and his wife, Linda. Ron Koetters, chairman and CEO of Monarch Construction, will head the corporate steering committee.

Sunflower Revolution V will take place Sept. 5, 6 and 7. The event is a collaboration involving the University Hospital Foundation, the Neuroscience Institute, the Mayfield Clinic, and the Davis Phinney Foundation, based in Boulder, Colo. It includes:

·       the fundraising gala (Sept. 5 at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati);

·       a free educational symposium for patients, families and caregivers (Sept. 6 at the Hyatt);

·       and fundraising bike rides of 100K, 40K and 10K (Sept. 7).

Gala tickets are $150, $250 and $500 each; ride fees are $80 per cyclist. For more information about the gala, symposium and ride, please visit www.sunflowerrev.org.

Researchers funded by Sunflower Revolution proceeds are currently studying:

·       the potential for a surgical procedure called deep brain stimulation to help protect brain cells.

·       the effect of deep brain stimulation on balance and gait.

·       the impact of depression on the progression of Parkinson’s disease.

·       the development of Parkinson’s disease years after a toxic exposure.

·       the measurement of two aspects of “bradykinesia,” the slowing and constricting of movement and reflexes that are characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. 

The Neuroscience Institute, a regional center of excellence, is dedicated to patient care, research, education, and the development of new treatments for stroke, brain and spinal tumors, epilepsy, traumatic brain and spinal injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, disorders of the senses (swallowing, voice, hearing, pain, taste and smell), and psychiatric conditions (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression).