Help End 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) has launched the #EndParkinsons campaign. We invite individuals from Urbandale, IA to take advantage of our new resources, including a free online and print toolkit, a free social media badge, 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 #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: Now through 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 that includes scientists, health professionals and those impacted by the Parkinson’s, 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 utilize our free print and online materials and resources. Sample ways of raising awareness in your community include:

• Join our One Day #EndParkinsons Campaign (New!). Sign up using a Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr account to send an awareness message to go live on Friday, April 15
• Change your profile photo (New!), on Facebook or Twitter for the month of April, using our free social media badge
• 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
• 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.