3rd Annual Walk for Talk | Hosted by the Twin Cities Dysphonia Support Group

WHEN | Saturday, October 22, 2022
TIME | 12:00 PM CT
LOCATION | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | 1225 Estabrook Drive | St Paul, MN 55103

The Twin Cities Dysphonia Support Group invites you to be part of our team for the 3rd Annual Walk for Talk event to benefit Dysphonia International, formerly the NSDA. This in-person event will take place on Saturday, October 22, and will begin at 12:00 PM at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. We will meet at the entrance to the Cafesjian Carousel at noon and walk amongst the Autumn leaves and zoo animals for as long as we like.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE & SUPPORT THIS TEAM

There is no cost to attend, and all ages are welcome to participate. So invite your family, friends, co-workers, and healthcare professionals to be part of the Walk. We hope you will raise the banner with us at this fun event!

QUESTIONS | If you need more information, please email Paul at navionpaul@gmail.com or Jean at jmmcmah@comcast.net.

VISIT | Go to the Walk for Talk website to register, donate, order t-shirts, hats, and other swag, and download graphics for social media.

The Walk for Talk helps to expand awareness and raise funds for research for spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions. Even if you can’t join us for this in-person walk, you can still participate no matter where you live. Create your own local team and invite your family and friends to be part of it. You can also set up a personal fundraising page. Remember, every dollar raised brings us one step closer to finding a cure for spasmodic dysphonia! We appreciate your support.

–FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-

WHAT IS WALK FOR TALK?

Our annual Walk for Talk is a four-day event (October 20-23) to benefit Dysphonia International, formerly the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (NSDA). Started in 2020, this event gives thousands of people a glimpse of the impact of spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through the stories our community shares. It provides the opportunity to invite family, friends, co-workers, support group communities, healthcare professionals, and even pets to be part of our organization and better understand the challenges people living with a voice disorder face on a daily basis. It provides a chance to feel empowered by expanding awareness and raising funds for research.

WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE THIS EVENT?

Even if you can’t join us for this in-person walk, you can still participate during the four-day event, October 20-23, 2022. There is no cost and you can register online. Then it is your choice how to support our voice. You can walk, run, bike, swim, or however you would like to “use your feet to help us defeat spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions.” No matter where you live, you can be part of Walk for Talk! Be sure to take photos and use #WalkforTalk on social media so we can find you! Also, you can support this team by making a donation to Dysphonia International.

WHO IS DYSPHONIA INTERNATIONAL?

You may know us better as the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (NSDA). Recently, we have changed our name to Dysphonia International to better reflect the inclusivity of our organization. We have members who are living with other vocal conditions including muscle tension dysphonia, vocal tremor, and vocal cord paralysis, which can either co-occur with SD or be diagnosed as the only voice issue. It also allows us to help more people living with voice conditions regardless of the cause, location, or age. While our name has changed our mission has not! We are dedicated to improving the lives of people with spasmodic dysphonia and related voice conditions through research, education, awareness, and support. We are a community that cares about you and your voice!

WHY DO WE WALK?
In addition to raising awareness, we walk to help find answers, better treatments and hopefully cures for these voice disorders that impact so many in our community. All donations will be doubled dollar-for-dollar, meaning every gift goes even further! With our goal of $80,000 plus the matching gift, we hope to reach the $160K milestone. By raising this amount, we could fund two seed grants to further the research toward eradicating SD and other voice conditions. Thank you for your generous support! 

For more information or to RSVP in advance, please contact: Stefanie Hannan | hannansj@upmc.edu or Ali Lewandowski | ael89@pitt.edu

HOSTS
Twin Cities Dysphonia Support Group Leaders
Paul Thomas | navionpaul@gmail.com & Jean McMahon | jmmcmah@comcast.net