Saturday morning, the Parkinson’s Foundation in Sacramento worked to shine a light on the families impacted by Parkinson’s disease and the support available across the region.For retired broadcaster Jeff Bell, the cause is deeply personal. Bell, whose voice was heard for years on KFBK radio in Sacramento and later on KCBS radio in San Francisco, said he first noticed troubling changes while still working on the air.“I knew something was off,” Bell said. “My body was starting to move in awkward ways, my walking was very labored, my concentration started waning. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know what.”After retiring early and spending a year searching for answers, Bell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by a specialist at UCSF in San Francisco. Now a member of the California chapter advisory board for the Parkinson’s Foundation, he is using his voice to raise awareness about the disease.Bell said many people associate Parkinson’s only with tremors or involuntary movements, but the condition can also include cognitive changes, stiffness, swallowing problems and other symptoms that often go unrecognized. That lack of awareness can delay diagnosis and treatment.To help change that, the Parkinson’s Foundation created Moving Day, an event designed to educate the public, support families and raise money for research aimed at finding a cure.“We need to raise money for a cure and better treatments and better care,” said Donna Cline, development manager for the Parkinson’s Foundation.Since launching Moving Day in 2011, the foundation says it has raised $56 million. Organizers say the event is also about reminding patients and families that they are not alone.“There is a community of people out there that would love to have them come in and let us help and support and care for them,” Cline said.As the foundation honors their years of service, its message remains clear: support, awareness and a fighting spirit can help bring hope to everyone affected by Parkinson’s disease.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Saturday morning, the Parkinson’s Foundation in Sacramento worked to shine a light on the families impacted by Parkinson’s disease and the support available across the region.

For retired broadcaster Jeff Bell, the cause is deeply personal. Bell, whose voice was heard for years on KFBK radio in Sacramento and later on KCBS radio in San Francisco, said he first noticed troubling changes while still working on the air.

“I knew something was off,” Bell said. “My body was starting to move in awkward ways, my walking was very labored, my concentration started waning. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know what.”

After retiring early and spending a year searching for answers, Bell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease by a specialist at UCSF in San Francisco. Now a member of the California chapter advisory board for the Parkinson’s Foundation, he is using his voice to raise awareness about the disease.

Bell said many people associate Parkinson’s only with tremors or involuntary movements, but the condition can also include cognitive changes, stiffness, swallowing problems and other symptoms that often go unrecognized. That lack of awareness can delay diagnosis and treatment.

To help change that, the Parkinson’s Foundation created Moving Day, an event designed to educate the public, support families and raise money for research aimed at finding a cure.

“We need to raise money for a cure and better treatments and better care,” said Donna Cline, development manager for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Since launching Moving Day in 2011, the foundation says it has raised $56 million. Organizers say the event is also about reminding patients and families that they are not alone.

“There is a community of people out there that would love to have them come in and let us help and support and care for them,” Cline said.

As the foundation honors their years of service, its message remains clear: support, awareness and a fighting spirit can help bring hope to everyone affected by Parkinson’s disease.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel