By Eric StromgenGannett Tennessee

NASHVILLE – Brent Peterson hopes the Predators’ “Pay it to Parkinson’s” campaign catches on in the public eye like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

The campaign continued at this past Saturday night’s Predators-Stars game at Bridgestone Arena when 17,500 green coins were distributed to fans in attendance. The coins direct the bearer to the website preds.co/pfpgive, where donations can be made to the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

“The idea is for everybody to donate whatever — one dollar, two dollars — and then pass the coin along to the next person,” Peterson said. “If they don’t want to give any money, then pass it along to the next person. Then that person passes it on, and it’s going to hopefully keep rolling like a snowball down the hill.”

Peterson, who was a Predators assistant coach from 1998 to 2011, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003. The symptoms related to the brain disorder eventually forced him out of coaching after that 2011 season. He no longer can skate on the ice.

“It’s affected my life in a good way and a bad way,” said Peterson, who played 11 years in the NHL. “I can’t do the things I want to do, but maybe the Lord has said, ‘We’ve got something for you to do here, so go out and do it.’ “

Peterson said he struggled mentally with the Parkinson’s diagnosis early on. His perspective turned more positive when, soon after a conversation with friend and NHL legend Cam Neely, Peterson received a phone call from a prominent Parkinson’s advocate — actor Michael J. Fox.

“He said, ‘I’m sick of hearing you complain about this, so why don’t you do something about it?’ “ Peterson said.

That two-hour conversation helped lead to the formation of Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s in 2007. The organization, which educates and raises awareness of the disease’s effects, has raised more than $400,000 for related research, education and support groups in the Middle Tennessee area and nationally. He expects that total to reach $500,000 by the end of the year.

“It’s (Parkinson’s) affected my life big time because I would still be coaching,” Peterson said. “I love to coach and probably would have had a head (coaching) job by now maybe. I was a good assistant coach for Barry (Trotz) and I know I would have gone on to be a good head coach.”

After the Predators were eliminated from the playoffs in 2011, he underwent a procedure called deep brain stimulation to help his symptoms. He lives with a battery pack in his chest with electrodes connected directly to his brain.

“It’s a very tough surgery, but it ended up being really good.” Peterson said. “I can move now. I would have been in a wheelchair.”

Peterson said the idea for the campaign started with Predators general manager David Poile and a few other members of the Predators’ staff. Peterson is hoping to get the campaign going in other cities with NHL teams and venues.

“We just want to get the word out,” he said. “We don’t care about the money — the money will come. We get the word out and everybody to understand how tough it is to be a Parkinson’s patient in this day and age. I’m just trying to show everybody that you can live with it. You can do things. You can have fun.”

For Peterson, that fun is in being at the rink.

He currently serves as a radio analyst for Predators broadcasts.

On Saturday, Peterson was reunited once again with a 30-year friend in Stars coach Lindy Ruff, and he gave Ruff a coin to take back to Dallas in an exchange displayed on the scoreboard during the game.

“He’s a real good friend and the cause he’s taken up is a good cause,” Ruff said. “I’d help him with anything.”