3rd Annual Walk for Talk | Hosted by the Greater Pittsburgh Dysphonia Support Group

WHEN | Saturday, October 22, 2022
TIME | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
LOCATION | North Park, Boathouse Main Parking Lot located at 10301 Pearce Mill Road, Allison Park, PA 15101

This year, the Pittsburgh Voice Team (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh Department of Communication Science and Disorders) is organizing a group walk for the 3rd annual “Walk for Talk” Fundraising Event sponsored by Dysphonia International! Bring your partners, cousins, friends, neighbors and pets to North Park on Saturday October 22nd at 9:00am as we “Walk for Talk” together to support this great cause. Register for the event under “Pittsburgh Voice Team.”

CLICK HERE TO DONATE & SUPPORT THE PITTSBURGH VOICE TEAM

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

RSVP | Please let Stefanie or Ali know by October 15 if you will be attending the event along with the number of people joining you. 

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
Greater Pittsburgh Dysphonia Support Group Leaders
Stefanie Hannan | hannansj@upmc.edu
Ali Lewandowski | ael89@pitt.edu