Walking the Talk: SCAN Health Plan Arizona Takes the Lead in Planning the 2010 Walk-the-Fight to Benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center

PHOENIX, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees of SCAN Health Plan Arizona are wearing new hats as they plan and execute the fourth annual Walk-the-Fight, fundraising walk to benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. The Parkinson Network of Arizona is hoping to raise $25,000 to help raise awareness of and fight Parkinson's disease.

Hundreds of walkers are expected to participate on Feb. 14 at Tempe Town Lake, which includes 5K and two-block routes. Event registration is $20 per family and includes one event T-shirt. Additional T-shirts are $10 each. Participants are encouraged to form teams and collectively raise funds for Parkinson's disease.  Registration forms are available online at www.pnaz.kintera.org or by calling 602-406-4921.

Event festivities include live music provided by SCAN Health Plan's own band, "The Boomer Band," as well as refreshments, a vendor health fair and children's activities.

Parkinson's disease affects nearly 500,000 people throughout the United States at any given time. It typically develops in people over 60, but early-onset symptoms can begin much sooner. The Parkinson Network of Arizona was formed in September 2006 to create awareness and raise funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.

"Throughout the year SCAN Health Plan Arizona does its part to support organizations that address senior issues," said Tom Lescault, president of SCAN Health Plan Arizona and member of the Parkinson Network of Arizona board of directors. "The SCAN team quickly rallied around the idea of coordinating the walk this year as soon as we learned there was a need."

About the Parkinson Network of Arizona

The Parkinson Network of Arizona is an affiliate chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation. It is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Parkinson's disease through supporting the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center (MAPC) in Phoenix, including fundraising, community building, advocacy and increasing public awareness. More information is available at www.parkinsonaz.org.

About SCAN Health Plan Arizona

For more than 30 years, SCAN Health Plan has been focusing on the unique needs of people with Medicare and today is the fourth-largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage Plan in the United States. In addition to the 110,000 members it serves in Southern California, SCAN Health Plan offers a Medicare Advantage Plan in Maricopa County. SCAN Health Plan Arizona was recently named one of the area's best places to work by the Arizona Business Journal. Further information may be obtained at www.scanhealthplan.com.

SOURCE SCAN Health Plan Arizona