Washington man drives tractor to Minnesota to benefit Parkinson’s research
A Bellingham man has finished his trip to Perch Lake, Minnesota – a slow trip on a John Deere tractor, all to benefit Parkinson’s disease research.
Mike Adkinson started his nearly 1700-mile trip on May 15 and at about 15 mph, arrived in Perch Lake on Thursday.
According to his donation drive on the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) website, Adkinson has raised $52,198, just over his $50,000 goal.
Adkinson said his brother Dan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year, which inspired his entire family to learn more about the progressive nervous system disorder.
He said that every nine minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with Parkinson’s. This rate is set to outpace Alzheimer’s by 2040.
Adkinson said his cross-country trip involved visiting people impacted by Parkinson’s, along with raising funds for the APDA.
He took Highway 20 across Washington, then Highway 2 across Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota.
You can still support Mike’s fundraising efforts at bit.ly/tractor-trip.
Donations will be used to support education programs, exercise and wellness classes, support groups and connections, resources, and research for Parkinson’s disease.
