Submitted Photo Saturday’s Poker Run is a “BringYour Own Horse” event.

When people think of Parkinson’s disease, they aren’t thinking of someone in the prime of their life.

Nicole LaBolle of Pleasantville was diagnosed with the disease when she was 27 years old.

Since then, she has been fighting back by doing what she can to promote awareness and fund research.

The seventh annual Poker Run for Parkinson’s Disease will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at Hickory Creek Wilderness Ranch in Tidioute. It’s a BYOH – bring your own horse – event.

LaBolle grew up with horses. She attended a benefit ride for St. Jude’s when she was in high school.

She combined her interest with her cause and the poker run is held on horseback.

Proceeds will go to the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (PIND).

LaBolle doesn’t see a neurologist in Pittsburgh anymore – she has a new doctor at Cleveland Clinic. “It doesn’t mean research doesn’t have to be done,” she said.

The dollars from the poker run are still going to PIND.

Other facilities have big-money donors helping them out. There is room for the little guy to work toward making a difference.

“The money that we raise can go to a smaller research facility and make a bigger difference to them,” she said.

As LaBolle and the event raise money, they are also raising awareness.

“A lot of times with Parkinson’s, people think about a 70-year-old man sitting in a chair with a shaky hand,” LaBolle said. “I have young onset. It’s unknown what causes it.”

The run starts at 11 a.m., with registration at 10 a.m..

“We never know if we’re going to get 70 people or 270,” she said.

The donation is $20 and includes the taco bar.

There will be other fund-raising events throughout the day.

For those who want to participate, but can’t ride along, the food will be ready between 2:30 and 3 p.m.

“I just can’t believe how many friends and family come together to pull this off,” she said. “Our community all pitches in. I have family members come from hours away to participate and help us.”

“It’s amazing the people that donate,” she said. “It’s nice that everybody comes together for such a great cause.”

LaBolle can be reached by calling (814) 657-0645.

There is also an event Facebook page.

“Our first year we had 22 riders and made $1,200 and it’s grown ever since,” LaBolle said. “It’s awesome.”