Join the Team Ending Parkinson's During April's Awareness Month

What: April is Parkinson's Awareness Month. To raise awareness of Parkinson’s, its impact on millions of people around the country and the need for a cure, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) is calling upon people from around the US, including White Plains, NY to join our team. We invite the community to take advantage of our resources, including a free online and print toolkit, free posters available in English and Spanish, free tree ribbons, as well as awareness tools for purchase, including the official Parkinson's Awareness T-Shirt designed by 13-year-old Lea Dempsey of Princeton, NJ, in honor of her grandfather who lived with Parkinson's disease. Together, we can #EndParkinsons.

Who: The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation® (PDF®) supports the scientific research and ideas that will improve the lives and futures of people who are touched by Parkinson’s. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has invested more than $157 million in research, education and advocacy programs. Each April, through its You Can Help Us #EndParkinsons campaign, PDF empowers its team — including people with Parkinson’s, care partners, scientists, health professionals and others — to raise awareness and encourage their communities to help end the disease.

Where: Online at www.pdf.org/parkinson_awareness and in communities around the US.

When: Friday, April 1- Saturday, April 30.

Why: An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s, a chronic and progressive movement disorder with symptoms that continue and worsen over time. While there is promising research, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. But with a large and diverse team, we can end the disease. Throughout April, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, PDF invites individuals from communities around the US to join our team and help to end the disease.

How: Visit www.pdf.org/parkinson_awareness to find tips and to order free materials and resources. Sample ways of raising awareness in your community include:

• Link with your local library and set up a Parkinson’s display with our free educational materials and awareness posters or one of the quilts from the Parkinson’s Quilt Project
• Organize a Parkinson’s educational event on your own or with health professionals
• Join us online by changing your Facebook or Twitter status to special awareness images
• Purchase Parkinson’s awareness gear, including a t-shirt designed by our 13-year-old designer, Lea (it comes in children's sizes too)

To learn more about Parkinson’s Awareness Month or to order free materials, contact our HelpLine at (800) 457-6676 or info@pdf.org or visit www.pdf.org/parkinson_awareness.