MEDIA
CHECK OUT THE PRESS WE ARE GETTING
Past and current hikers often share their experience with their local media. There are blog entries in their regional Parkinson’s organizations and articles in local newspapers. We also have stories in backpacking blogs and magazines. We welcome your interest and can connect you with hikers to interview.
More News Stories from 2016-Spring 2022 Some of hikers have written about their experience in BOOKS
NW Profiles November 2025
NW Profiles November 2025 “Pass to Pass Parkinson’s Trek” first video on Season 39 episode 2 produced by Todd Anderson, KSPS Public Television Spokane, WA.
PCTA Communicator Fall 2025
PasstoPass featured in Backpacker Magazine
After participating in one of this past September’s trips to Pete Lake as a support hiker for his wife Sandy, Barney “Scout” Mann reports on his experience in Backpacker Magazine.
Llamas, Yes Llamas, Help Hikers With Parkinson’s Get Outside. Here’s How.
We’re thrilled to have PasstoPass featured here with the opportunity to share our mission with a greater audience.
A big THANKS to Barney for sharing his story!
Washington Trails, summer 2025 edition
“When a lifelong hiker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he found a way to keep getting outside, with a little four-legged help.” written by Chloe Ferrone.
You can also read the full article from the Washington Trail Association’s website. (page 34)
Lorenson, Brian. Keeping hiking dreams alive for people with Parkinson’s. Out There. Summer 2025 p. 12
The 2024 APDA-NW Optimism Award-Service Provider award
The 2024 APDA-NW Optimism Award-Service Provider award was presented to Bill and Nadean Meyer for their work creating and maintaining PasstoPass.org. The gala event, March 2 in Seattle, was attended by their children and many current and former PtP hikers.
A press release issued by APDA-NW resulted in a newspaper article in the Spokane Spokesman-Review and a TV interview by Spokane KHQ. The press has resulted in several new potential hikers and more awareness of what PasstoPass does to assist Parkinson’s hikers. Bill and Nadean thanked all our many volunteers and supporters for helping
PasstoPass grow and thrive.
Rogue in Motion interviews Sarah Eitzman
Sarah Eitzman, PD hiker from Mountain View, CA hiked with PasstoPass in 2022 & 2023. She shares her process to prepare for a successful hike and her general exercise, nutrition and social support to combat PD symptoms. Rogue in Motion, an online and in-person Physical therapy company that specializes in PD clients choose Sarah for their November 2023 interviewee.
PasstoPass Founder accepts award for PtP
Bill Meyer, founder of PtP was awarded the AARP-Washington 2023 Andrus Award for Community Service. Hiro and Dave accepted the $2000 check for PtP in Tacoma and Bill accepted the obelisk in Spokane from Exec. Director, Marguerite Ro. AARP created a short video about Bill and PtP. He was also acknowledged in the Spokane newspaper and also on Public Service Radio Washington for this award
Derek Torry on Brian Grant Foundation Wellness Webcast
Derek Torry, President of PtP and Trip Leader participated in the Brian Grant Foundation Wellness Webcast panel on Joy in Exercise April 12, 2023.
Interview of PasstoPass panel of hikers and YouTube video about PtP– all from Davis-Phinney Foundation
Melani Dizon, Director of Education & Content interviewed a panel of PasstoPass hikers (Linda, Derek, Bill, Sarah and Tamara). Read the full interview article here. She also compiled a YouTube video of our hikers’ discussion.
Daughter interviews hiker Hiro
Hanna Shigemitsu interviewed her father, Takahiro (Hiro) for the APDA NW magazine. Hiro shared his approach to staying healthy and active including hiking with PasstoPass every summer since 2019.
December 2022 issue pages 4-5 Parkinson’s Pathfinder
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Newsletter Parkinson’s Center
Paula Flanders, a PD hiker on Trip 4 2022 hiked from White Pass to Chinook Pass in Washington State. She wrote about her experience for her regional PD center newsletter.
Pass to Pass with Parkinson’s September 2022
NW Parkinson’s Foundation Blog
Irene Pasternack 2022 trip leader of Trip 4 and also Trip 5 wrote about the hiking from White Pass to Chinook Pass and near Chinook Pass in Washington State. She included a photo of one llama taking a “dust bath.” Weekly August 2022
Judi Spencer 2022 trip leader of Trip 1 led day hikes around Mt. Rainier and she shared the experience of this first year of PasstoPass offering day hikes with overnight stay in the historic Longmire Lodge. Weekly 7-19-22
Good RX Story
Living with Parkinson’s: A Quest to Make Hiking Accessible
by Clare Hennig April 1, 2022
Bill Meyer, founder of PasstoPass is interviewed about the organization and his personal PD journey as he continues to enjoy the mountains and the outdoors.
