Don Stevenson
Don Stevenson, Auburn’s ultra-walker, is about to log his 10,000th mile in his awareness walk for Huntington’s disease.
Averaging about 180 miles a week at Game Farm Park, the 72-year-old “Pacin’ Parson” is expected to reach the milestone at 11 a.m. Tuesday. There will be a free lunch at the park to celebrate the occasion.
Stevenson, who began his walk on Jan. 9, 2007, plans to extend it even farther. He intends to leave from Seattle’s Space Needle at 6 a.m. on April 26 to begin his walk to New York City. He plans to arrive at the Empire State Building on Sept. 15, completing his latest 13,000-mile charitable mission.
Stevenson’s wife, Loretta, will drive a support vehicle in the 3,000-mile transcontinental walk.
So far, Stevenson has raised more than $10,000 for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). He hopes to raise more than $20,000 by the time he arrives in New York City.
Stevenson’s HD awareness walk is dedicated to his friend Jack Meteyer, whose mother and three siblings died from the disease. Stevenson also is dedicating his efforts to those who suffer from the effects of Huntington’s.
HD is an inherited, progressively degenerative brain disorder, affecting one’s ability to think, speak and walk. There presently is no effective treatment or cure.
Stevenson is a Christian author, former teacher, pastor, volunteer firefighter, truck driver and Marine. After retiring in 1994, he devoted his time to writing – and walking.
He has logged more than 33,000 miles of walking for various charities since 1998.
To make a contribution to HDSA, please call 206-464-9598, or send your check to: HD Society
of America, (Code #070TH03), P.O. Box 33345, Seattle, WA 98133. Please indicate that your contribution is for the “13,000-mile Park Walk.”