Emerson Drive Raises Money For Parkinson's Patients

Emerson Drive recently raised over $100,000 for Parkinson’s research with the 2nd Annual Brad Mates/E-Drive Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament is held in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, the hometown of lead vocalist Brad Mates. Proceeds from the tournament go to the University of Alberta Hospital’s program for researching a cure for Parkinson’s disease.Celebrities and popular golfers joined together for the event at the Spruce Meadows Golf & Country Club on Sept. 10, in Sexsmith, Alberta. This event raised $35,000 more than last year’s and planning for next year has already begun. The group has set a goal of $500,000 by 2009.Emerson Drive has more than a passing interest in raising money for the disease. Mates’ father, Don, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s six years ago. Mates works toward money for research to help those like his father and possibly prevent others from going through the same pain. Roughly one million Americans have the disease and currently there is no cure. Therefore, programs like the one at the University of Alberta are crucial toward helping those with the disease.