The 2016 UNMC Skate-a-thon for Parkinson's will be held Jan. 22 and 23 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Ice Rink. The event, which runs from noon Jan. 22 to noon Jan 23, is open to the public.
For the third straight year, the skate-a-thon will be held in memory of its founder, Colleen Wuebben, a Parkinson’s sufferer who died in 2013 at the age of 60. Colleen’s husband, Ted, and their five children have continued the tradition of the skate-a-thon since Colleen’s death.
Colleen was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2005 at the age of 52. Three years later, the Wuebbens came up with the idea for the skate-a-thon. For the first three years, the Wuebbens flooded their back yard and held the event at their home.
In 2011, as a way to expand the event to more people, the Wuebbens moved the skate-a-thon to the UNMC Ice Rink.
Proceeds go toward clinical and basic science Parkinson's research at UNMC 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 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 22. Closing ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. on Jan. 23. For the third time, 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 for the second straight year.
The skate-a-thon will be live streamed at this link.
The previous five skate-a-thons at UNMC netted more than $140,000. Last year’s event drew a record 540 skaters.
This year, businesses around Omaha have been sent a challenge to participate in the skate-a-thon.
"We want to grow this great event," Ted Wuebben said. "We know there are many more people who would be interested in participating – we just need to figure out how to reach them. One way we think we can accomplish this is by getting more corporate involvement."
Wuebben said at least three skaters are planning to skate all 24 hours this year, and he anticipates that number will grow.
The cost to participate in the skate-a-thon is $10. The registration fee includes skate rental and ice access. People can skate as long as they wish.
Skaters are encouraged to raise additional money by getting friends and family to donate, Wuebben said, but this is not required. He said anybody can make a donation – they don’t have to skate.
Skaters and non-skaters can register online or make a pledge here. Walk-in registration also will be available at the event.
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.
Schedule of events
Jan. 22
- Noon: Skating and countdown begins
- 1 to 2 p.m.: Lunchtime Laps
- 3 p.m.: Afterschool snack
- 4:30 p.m.: Official opening
- 6 and 7 p.m. – Chuck a Puck Contest (people will pay $1 to try to throw a foam puck into a bucket in the center of the ice rink; prizes will be awarded)
- 8 p.m.: Dance Off on Ice (all included)
- 10 p.m.: Pizza and Pajama Skate
- Midnight: Halfway through photo and countdown check in
Jan. 23
- 1 a.m.: Shiver Skate
- 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.
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