An event is bringing people fine food and drinks to give information about a terrible disease. The Parkinson Association of Alberta is presenting Tap’d Out Food and Beverage Festival at Three Trees Tap + Kitchen on Wednesday, April 10, to help spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease.
The event will feature beers from Ribstone Creek Brewery and 4th Meridian Brewing Co. as options in beer flights. There will also be a selection of chef-selected appetizers. Bucket auctions will also be on hand with the help of local businesses. The PAA will also be present to help educate people about the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease.
The event comes to help bring focus on the disease over Parkinson Awareness Month. Sherry Bower-Gagne of the PAA says the event is important in helping intercept Parkinson’s Disease. She says that the disease can be found in a variety of age ranges, and the progression of the disease can be slowed down if the symptoms are found early.
“There are people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s that can be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Sometimes we ignore the symptoms and making sure that you take care and talk to your doctor about it and take it seriously. Because with early onset Parkinson’s disease, there are lots of things we can do to slow down the progression,” says Bower-Gagne.
She says that there’s a number of steps that can be taken to improve a PD patient’s quality of life. The PAA is focusing on early-onset Parkinson’s in order to help maintain the quality of life for those with symptoms. The events are happening across Alberta this month to help increase awareness, and let those who are worried about their health know there’s hope.
“There is hope, there are things that can be done, you’re not alone, we’re here to support and you don’t have to live like that. We can do things to make things better.”
The PAA helps to support those living with Parkinson’s disease, connect them with resources, fund research and advocate for those affected by PD. Tickets for Tap’d Out can be purchased at Three Trees Tap + Kitchen, online parkinsonassociation.ca/tapdout or by calling (780) 808-5006. Other events throughout the month can be found on their website.