MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - According to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year.

The Lansing Area Support group and the Michigan Parkinson Foundation came together for their 6th annual "I Gave My Sole for Parkinson's Walkathon and 5k".

Deborah Orloff, CEO of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation said, "each year the enthusiasm grows. We have a T-shirt where we put people’s names on who has Parkinson's, and the families have even done their own T-shirts to celebrate their own family members."

When runners complete the race they can get stretched out at the massage booth, and also for children there’s face painting and truck building.

"The money that we raise goes to programs and services right here in Michigan. So for example we've started an orientation to Parkinson's here in the Lansing area," said Orloff.

"I am a Parkinson’s patient myself and I do it because I'm still able to do a lot of things and I think that that’s real important. People have to keep going it’s a matter of moving ahead all the time, and getting up everyday. Keep the disease in check if you can,” said event chair of the I gave my sole for Parkinson’s walk, Jim Galloway.

Even those suffering from Parkinson's themselves can be an anchor in the community.

Galloway said, “we have our support group which is one of the larger ones in the state of Michigan. We have programs, speakers come in, we have prominent doctors, physical therapy people, lawyers."

The Michigan Parkinson Foundation also has a Living with Parkinson's education series that is a part of the local support groups. If you are affected by Parkinson’s Disease contact the Michigan Parkinson Foundation.