Nationwide Support Groups Join Davis Phinney Foundation's "Living Well Challenge" With First Webinar Focused on How to Live Well With Parkinson's Disease

-- The Foundation Invites All People Affected by Parkinson's Disease to Take the Challenge --

BOULDER, Colo., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Davis Phinney Foundation (www.davisphinneyfoundation.org) announced that more than 15 U.S. Parkinson's disease support groups have joined the many people affected by Parkinson's disease who are taking the "Living Well Challenge." The challenge begins by participating in the foundation's complimentary new webinar focused on what people with Parkinson's disease can do to live well today.

On June 15, 2011, the 90-minute, first-of-its kind webinar starts at 1:00 PM EDT and offers a panel of leading movement disorder experts who share the latest information from the Davis Phinney Foundation's Victory Summit™ symposia series. Topics include: the latest Parkinson's research, the importance of exercise and which types of exercise can make the most difference, ways to manage nutrition and diet, and how to bridge communication gaps with healthcare providers.

Webinar panelists and speakers include: Monique Giroux, M.D., Medical Director, Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, Terry Ellis, PT, Ph.D., Boston University; Davis Phinney, cycling legend and advocate living with Parkinson's disease (Boulder, Colo.); David Charles, M.D., Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tenn.); Holly Shill, M.D., Banner Sun Health Research Institute (Sun City, Ariz.); and, Melanie Brandabur, M.D., The Parkinson's Institute (Sunnyvale, Calif.).

The Davis Phinney Foundation encourages anyone affected by Parkinson's disease to take the challenge by registering in advance and watching the webinar with friends, family and support groups. Visit www.davisphinneyfoundation.org for more information, including which support groups are hosting watch parties, or call 1-877-274-7673.

Parkinson's Disease

As many as 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year. The disease affects men and women alike, and its frequency is considerably higher in the over-60 age group, although there is an alarming increase of patients of younger age.

Davis Phinney Foundation

The Davis Phinney Foundation was created in 2004 by cycling legend Davis Phinney and is dedicated to helping people with Parkinson's disease live well today. The foundation's major initiatives include: The Every Victory Counts™ Program, developed by movement disorder experts to encourage living well with Parkinson's; Victory Summit™ series of symposia, which bring leading experts into local communities to share the latest advances in science, care and inspire those affected by the disease to celebrate the daily victories in their lives; and the funding of research focused on exercise, speech and other quality of life therapies. Visit the web site: www.davisphinneyfoundation.org.

SOURCE Davis Phinney Foundation