Thank You for Supporting Dystonia Awareness
Ten Dystonia Zoo Day Events were held across the country from June through October this year—with five of them being held during Dystonia Awareness Month in September. The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is grateful to all the volunteers and advocates who raised awareness and funds for dystonia research during the in-person Dystonia Zoo Day events, as well as those who were able to participate in the first-ever Virtual YOU Day on Sept. 30.
The DMRF appreciates all the time and effort that local volunteers put into planning these events, and we are always looking to expand into new cities. If you are interested in hosting an event in your hometown for 2026, please contact ev****@*****************on.org.
Highlights from 2025 Community Events
For the first time in two years, New Englanders returned to Providence, RI for the first Dystonia Zoo Day of the year. The event was held on June 14 at the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence. DMRF VP of Support Paula Schneider hosted the New England Dystonia Zoo Day, and the special guest speakers included Paralympic gold medal winner Leanne Smith and Prarthana Prakash, MD, of Brown University Health.
The 8th Portland Dystonia Zoo Day took place on July 26 at the Oregon Zoo. The event was hosted by Judith Mason, Glenn Mason, Erinn Stimson, Tom Stimson, Tina Beattie, and DMRF Editorial Board member Dee Linde. The featured speakers included Delaram Safarpour, MD, MSCE, FAAN, Medical Director, Deep Brain Stimulation Program (OHSU) and Daniel Cleary, MD, PhD, Neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine (OHSU).
Kristin Cinglie and Karen Eisel co-hosted the 5th Toledo Dystonia Zoo Day at the Toledo Zoo on Aug. 23. The featured speakers were Zane Eisel and Zehra Farzal, MD, neurologist at Henry Ford Health, and the event was previewed by an article in the Toledo Blade.
The 3rd Long Island Dystonia Zoo Day was held at the Suffolk County Farm & Education Center in Yaphank, NY on Sept. 13. The event was hosted by Linda Davis.
Celebrating a full decade of dystonia awareness, the 10th Pittsburgh Dystonia Zoo Day took place on Sept. 14 at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The event was organized by DMRF Editorial Board member Ed Cwalinski. Matthew Woodward, MD of the Allegheny Health Network was a featured speaker and the event was attended by DMRF grant recipient Martin Piazza, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Indianapolis Zoo was the site of the 3rd Indianapolis Dystonia Zoo Day, which was held on Sept. 20. The event was organized by Sarah and Sally Ernstberger and Sunshine Fox. Sunshine and Sarah co-lead the Central Indiana Support Group. DMRF Board Member John Downey was a featured speaker at the event.
The Dystonia Warrior Ride on Sept. 20 was hosted by Tracey Deyoung, Victoria Katz, and Cary Lupo-Weigert as a charity motorcycle ride to raise money for dystonia research and to bring dystonia awareness/education to Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin.
The 2nd Lansing Dystonia Zoo Day took place on Sept. 20 at Potter Park Zoo and was co-hosted by Barry Casler and Kim Robinson, who is the leader of the newly formed MI Dystonia Support Group. Current DMRF grant recipient Alexander Hodge, PhD of the University of Michigan spoke at the event.
The 3rd Fort Wayne Dystonia Zoo Day was held at the Ft. Wayne Children’s Zoo on Sept. 27. The event was hosted by MacKenzie Prater and the Zoo Day was previewed on local television by WPTA 21 Alive in Fort Wayne.
The Angels Walk for Dystonia was held on Sept. 27 at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park in Middlesex County, NJ. The event was held by Melissa and Michael Caravello in memory of Joanna Manusov, whose parents Janice and Len Nachbar attended as special guests.
The 8th Twin Cities Dystonia Zoo Day took place on Oct. 5 at the Como Zoo. The event was hosted by Lisbeth Overton and Cathy Theisen, and Don Darling, a physical therapist, spoke and led in the crowd in warm-up exercises.
The very first Rochester, NY Dystonia Zoo Day was held at the Seneca Park Zoo on Oct. 25. Special guests included DMRF Chief Science Officer Jonathan W. Mink, MD, PhD, Angela Hewitt, MD, PhD, and Richard Barbano, MD, PhD. The event organizers were DMRF Board members Rich and Rosalie Lewis, Lauren Jackson and Naomi Taggart.
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