April is Parkinson's Awareness Month
In honor of 2011's Parkinson Awareness Month, the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) is working to educate the American public on the significant challenges those living with Parkinson's disease must face.
- Sarasota-Bradenton, FL (1888PressRelease) April 21, 2011 - Parkinson's disease, a debilitating neurological movement disorder, currently affects over 1.5 million Americans. Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that results from the degeneration of neurons in the region of the brain responsible for movement control. This degeneration creates a shortage of the brain-signaling chemical (neurotransmitter) dopamine, causing movement impairments (tremor, slowness, balance problems, muscle rigidity) characteristic of the disease.
In honor of 2011's Parkinson Awareness Month, the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) is working to educate the American public on the significant challenges those living with Parkinson's disease must face. Many of these challenges occur on a daily basis. Whether it is walking, eating or getting dressed, everything takes more time, effort and planning. Previously simple tasks become laden with difficulty and frustration. Managing Parkinson symptoms demands patience, courage and strength from both patients and caregivers alike.
"Based on my observations in over 35 years of working with Parkinson patients," said Parkinson Research Foundation Chairman, Lawrence Hoffheimer, "those most successful at managing their symptoms share two key characteristics: an attitude of extreme resilience and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. At PRF we work hard to deliver as much patient education as we can."
According to Mr. Hoffheimer, a primary focus on patient education is what differentiates PRF from other Parkinson groups. "Each Parkinson organization approaches the many issues related to Parkinson's disease differently," he said, "and that is exactly what the patient needs. Emphasizing different aspects of the disease attracts more minds and innovative ideas. Before we know it, all of the organizations are serendipitously working together to solve these complex problems."
"Some foundations focus on medical research, others evaluate alternative treatment methods; our goal at PRF is to improve Parkinson patients' daily quality of life," said Hoffheimer. "We work to develop comprehensive patient education programs that will hopefully make each day with Parkinson's a little bit easier."
The Parkinson Research Foundation's patient education program includes bi-annual cruises and conferences. PRF will host its next conference on November 7th, 2011 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and its next educational cruise is scheduled for January 8th-15th, 2012. For more information on these events, please visit www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org.
PRF encourages the general public to help empower Parkinson's patients by volunteering with the foundation, sponsoring events, and/or donating directly to the foundation.
About the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF)
The Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) is a nonprofit health organization providing Parkinson's patients with access to research, education, information and advocacy. PRF distinguishes itself from other Parkinson organizations by focusing on education and awareness, not only for patients, but also for families and caregivers. PRF explores a variety of issues affecting the care and treatment of Parkinson's disease, with a goal of bringing new advances in treatment to the forefront by, making this knowledge widely available through seminars and conferences.
The money raised by PRF funds research, information programs, and advocacy and awareness efforts that support the over one million people with Parkinson's disease in communities across America.
For more information about the Parkinson Research Foundation or to find out how you can participate in our upcoming events, please log onto www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
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