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Front Page News
March 18, 2015
Local Second Grader Designs Winning Parkinson’s
Awareness T-Shirt
A drawing by seven-year-old Mabel Johnson of Pittsfield, came out on
top in the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s (PDF) Sixth Annual
Parkinson’s Awareness T-Shirt Design Contest. In this year’s “kids
only” contest, Mabel’s design was a contender along with 40 other
submissions from children ages 5 to 15 years old. Her design was
ultimately chosen as the winner by the general public in an online
vote.
Mabel was inspired to enter the t-shirt contest in honor of her
maternal grandmother, who lives with Parkinson’s disease. Her design
featuring the words, “Together we can fight Parkinson’s,” is now
being printed on PDF’s official 2015 PD awareness t-shirts, which
will be worn by thousands of people around the country to raise
awareness, especially during April’s Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
“Parkinson’s can make it hard for Mimi to do things sometimes. It is
hard for her to hold things in her hand. I would like to help so
Parkinson’s goes away,” says Mabel. “My Mimi is very proud and
excited to see my picture.”
A committee including PDF Creativity artists who live with
Parkinson’s selected her design as one of six finalists. Mabel’s
hand-drawn design features three tulips holding hands in PDF’s
signature green and yellow colors. She says, “the three flowers are
my brothers and I. We are working together.”
PDF President Robin Elliott said, “We thank Ms. Johnson for
illustrating so beautifully the impact of each person’s efforts in
the fight against Parkinson’s. Individuals across the country can
join her in making a difference this April, with an action as simple
as wearing the inspiring t-shirt she has designed.”
Ms. Johnson’s design is available in child and adults
sizes for purchase in PDF’s online store at
www.pdf.org/shop. It will also be distributed to participants of the
Parkinson’s Unity Walk in New York City on Saturday, April 25.
For more information on Parkinson’s Awareness Month,
contact PDF at (800) 457-6676,
[email protected] 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 $105 million to fund the work of leading
scientists throughout the world and $44 million to support education
and advocacy programs.
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