Supernus Partners with Davis Phinney Foundation Virtual Event to Support Parkinson’s Wellness and Education

June 11, 2021

Sponsorship of the Every Victory Counts Challenge Includes Partnership with Pedaling for Parkinson’s

Boulder, CO— As an organization dedicated to wellness and education to help people and families affected by Parkinson’s, the Davis Phinney Foundation is excited to announce a partnership with Supernus Pharmaceuticals, as a new sponsor for the Every Victory Counts Challenge–a virtual event full of activity and fun for all abilities this July.

The new partnership includes support for the Foundation’s programs and also Pedaling for Parkinson’s, a national network of cycling spin classes at YMCA’s and rec centers, committed to advancing our understanding of how physical activity impacts the motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. Pedaling for Parkinson’s founder and Cleveland Clinic researcher, Dr. Jay Alberts, will captain a team in the Every Victory Counts Challenge, riding three times per week to raise funds and awareness for the programs.

“I’m excited to participate in the EVCC and show how physical activity is so beneficial to people with Parkinson’s and everyone, really.” Said Dr. Jay Alberts, founder of Pedaling for Parkinson’s “The support we receive from the Davis Phinney Foundation backed by Supernus will be a huge boost to re-opening our Pedaling for Parkinson’s spin classes, since so many closed during the pandemic.”

“It’s an honor and privilege to partner with the Davis Phinney Foundation to support initiatives like the EVCC that highlight the importance of physical activity in Parkinson’s and the role it plays in helping those with Parkinson’s achieve their own personal victories every day!” said Brandon King, Senior Director, Marketing for Supernus Pharmaceuticals.   “With the right education and inspiration, every person with Parkinson’s can live their best icONic life!”

Personal challenge and small group activities are the new normal. In the Every Victory Counts Challenge, individuals and teams will ride, practice yoga, run, swim, hike, climb or aspire to other exercise challenges. The goal is to get moving, celebrate the importance of exercise for your brain and body, and raise funds and awareness to help people with Parkinson’s live well. In addition to completing their personal challenge, participants are encouraged to complete mini-challenges throughout the month which earn them entries into a robust prize pool. Prizes include items from Rapha, Trek, Team DPF, and the grand prize – a Catrike Villager bike sized to winner.

While large athletic events–marathons, cycling events, fun runs–and gyms are gradually re-opening, we know that many people with chronic health conditions need easy, accessible activity choices, including exercise options, inspiration, and social connection.

Davis Phinney, retired pro cyclist, Olympic medalist, and founder said,“We’re so thankful to have Supernus, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, and our celebrity teams join us in this event.An active approach to Parkinson’s makes all the difference for me and for the countless others who have embraced it. We hope the Every Victory Counts Challenge will inspire everyone to get moving this July and beyond.”

We also know how important it is to bring purpose to our life. We’re pursuing our athletic goals while seeking connection and ways to give back. That’s why the Davis Phinney Foundation, based in Louisville, Colorado, has created a way for corporate teams and individuals to get moving, give back, and support people and families with Parkinson’s so they can live their best lives today.

In friendly competition, along-side Dr. Jay Alberts, other “celebrity” Team Captains invite you to join them or form your own teams, including:

Chris Carmichael, Olympian, former pro cyclist, 7-Eleven teammate with Davis Phinney, Olympic coach and founder of Carmichael Training Systems.

Tim Hague, winner of The Amazing Race Canada season #1, athlete with Parkinson’s, author, inspirational speaker and founder of U-Turn for Parkinson’s a Wellness Centre whose mission is to empower people living with Parkinson’s in their pursuit of wellness.

Dr. Michael Braitsch PT, DPT, founder of Tribe Wellness a program based in Dallas to use exercise to promote health, fight impairments, and improve quality of life.

Amy Carlson, DPF Ambassador and founder of Amy Says Dance!, where the goal is to keep dancing, and stay in touch – Don’t Isolate! Dance!

Here are the Every Victory Counts Challenge details:

STARTS: Registration for the virtual event opens on June 1. Event and challenges start July 1 and lasts the whole month. You can join at any time during the month before July 31.

REGISTRATION: Register at dpf.org/victory2021. Registration is a $25 donation, and you’ll receive a custom, limited-edition Team DPF neck gaiter (while supplies last).  You can register as an individual, as a team captain to form a team, or join an existing team.

CHOICES: Choose your adventure or join one of our celebrity teams. Are you a cyclist? Runner? Do you practice yoga? Bike every day? Swim? Dance? You have the full month of July to complete your own challenge, set by YOU. Do it all at once or across the whole month.

HOW: You choose minutes, miles, distance or other. Ongoing fundraising incentives and challenges are available, but up to you! Everyone is welcome and sharing stories, tips and photos in the Event Village is encouraged.

WINS: Everyone who registers is eligible to win a Catrike Villager recumbent bike (no donation or purchase required to be entered). Those who fundraise for Parkinson’s may earn other great prizes and enjoy the camaraderie of a community committed to movement and living well. Earn an entry into the Every Victory Counts Challenge Prize Pool by completing your challenge by July 31. Additional prize pool entries can be earned by fundraising and/or completing fun and interactive mini challenges announced throughout July.

The Davis Phinney Foundation  was founded by Olympic cyclist Davis Phinney in 2004 to help people with Parkinson’s live well today. The organization’s focus is to provide programs and resources that offer inspiration, information and tools that enable people living with Parkinson’s to take action that can immediately improve their quality of life. Parkinson’s is the No. 2 neurodegenerative disease– second only to Alzheimer’s – and affects more than 1 million people in the United States. The Foundation’s work impacts hundreds of thousands of individuals and families each year. It is headquartered in Louisville, Colorado. Learn more.

Supernus Pharmaceuticals is an award-winning biopharmaceutical company focused on improving the lives of patients suffering from diseases of the central nervous system. Supernus believes People with Parkinson’s are more than their Parkinson’s disease. They created #BeicONicwithPD, a community initiative to highlight the rich, active lives that people with Parkinson’s can lead. It’s about sharing the many pursuits of the icONic moments that make life focused ON living. Being icONic is about doing the best we can every day to live life with passion and purpose. Whether this means tips and tricks for staying on track throughout the day, or a daily activity or hobby that makes a world of difference, we want to hear about it and share it with the community and world at large. Together, let’s show that we can all put Parkinson’s in its place—last on the list of things that define us. Learn more #BeicONicwithPD

Pedaling For Parkinson’s was founded by Dr. Jay Alberts, a neuroscientist and researcher at the Cleveland Clinic, and Cathy Frazier, a woman living with Parkinson’s disease. Riding a tandem bike at RAGBRAI in 2003, they discovered that cycling reduced Cathy’s symptoms. With Dr. Alberts guiding the bike and Ms. Frazier on the back, she noticed something interesting after the day’s ride. She felt like she didn’t have Parkinson’s anymore!  Now substantiated by Dr. Albert’s clinical research, the Pedaling For Parkinson’s spinning program is offered on-line and at over 160 YMCA’s and rec centers nationwide. For convenience, most programs are offered on indoor, stationary bikes. Learn More

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