Philadelphia Resident to Climb Mount Whitney in CA for Parkinson’s Research on Sunday, August 25

Philadelphia, PA resident Rachel Isenberg is climbing mountains to fight Parkinson’s disease. Rachel will climb the 14,505 foot Mount Whitney in CA on Sunday, August 25 to raise money for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) and honor her mother, who lives with the disease.

For Rachel, a resident of Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood, taking on physical challenges for charity has become a summer tradition.  The English language instructor and tennis professional has raised more than $10,000 for PDF since 2010. Her physical endeavors include a 438-mile bike ride across PA last summer, a half marathon and a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. The cause is close to her heart as Rachel’s late grandfather also lived with Parkinson’s, a disease for which there is no cure.

“The importance of giving back was instilled in me by my family and is something I value in my personal and professional life. These summer challenges for Parkinson’s research give me an outlet to make a difference, set a goal and bring together a community around a cause,” says Rachel.

Working with the PDF Champions program, the grassroots fundraising arm of the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, she hopes to exceed her $3,000 fundraising goal. With the continued support of her family and friends, she is already more than halfway there. Rachel began training in June to prepare for Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the contiguous US.

President of PDF, Robin Anthony Elliott said, “We are grateful for Rachel’s determination, year after year, to perform summer challenges in which she challenges not only herself, but also challenges the community to fight Parkinson's. Through her commitment to her family and this cause, she is the embodiment of what it means to be a PDF Champion." 

To support Rachel’s fundraising efforts, visit her personal fundraising page at http://support.pdf.org/rp2013. For more information, contact PDF at (800) 457-6676, info@pdf.org or www.pdf.org.

About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US.  Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s.

About the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson's disease research, education and public advocacy.  We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson's disease by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson's disease through educational programs and services.  Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated $100 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and $42 million to support education and advocacy programs.