Parkinson’s Nebraska Breaks Records with Over $34K Raised in 24-Hour Skate-A-Thon

Parkinson’s Nebraska (parkinsonsnebraska.org) has raised more than $34,000 to go towards Parkinson’s research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in this year’s Skate-a-Thon. The 13th annual event raised more money than ever before in its history, bringing the total money raised to $244,000. In addition to the 525 skaters who participated, five individuals skated for the entire 24-hour event. The Nebraska Warriors, a local hockey team made up of disabled veterans, had a representation on the ice throughout the entire event as well.

Skate-A-Thon was started by Collen Weubben, founder of Parkinson’s Nebraska, and her husband Ted, who flooded their own backyard for three years until the event was moved to UNMC’s ice rink in 2011. The Wuebben family continues to continue Skate-a-Thon annually in memory of Colleen who passed away in 2013 due to Parkinson’s disease.

“Thanks to the community for making this a winter tradition,” said Jenny Knutson, a daughter of the Wuebbens. “The encouraging words of physicians give us the belief that we won’t have to host this event much longer. We hope a cure is on the horizon.”

To learn more about Parkinson’s Nebraska, go to parkinsonsnebraska.org.