Before being diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) at just 36 years old in 2007, Dr. Beth Hochstein lived in Great Neck with her family and ran a podiatry practice in town with her husband. Wanting an easier space to move around, Hochstein relocated to Old Westbury and has since devoted herself to managing her life with this disease—in part, by dancing.
After learning about the many physical and mental benefits dance could offer people with PD, Hochstein was inspired and began fundraising for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research by creating her first event in May 2011, Dance Party for Parkinson’s. After three successful dance events that raised approximately $80,000, Hochstein, with the help and support of family and friends, started the nonprofit organization Dance Party for Parkinson’s, Inc., that raises money to fund research until a cure for PD is found.
On Sunday, Sept. 18, the group will host a Dance Party for Parkinson’s: Shakin’ It for a Cure at St. John’s University’s D’Angelo Center in the fourth-floor ballroom. This fun and high-energy dance fitness event will be led by top instructors from the tristate area and will include a live performance, free snacks and beverages, a silent auction and raffle. The DeLorean Time Machine will also be at the event for photos. All proceeds will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and The Dance for PD Program.
For more information, to buy tickets and to find more about Hochstein, visit www.dancepartyforparkinsons.org.
