Parkinson's Disease Foundation Calls Upon Care Partners to Help Find the Cure For Parkinson's

Emphasizes Critical Role of Care Partners in Parkinson's Research During National Family Caregivers Month

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of National Family Caregivers Month this November, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation® (PDF®) asks care partners to play their part in helping to find the cure for Parkinson's disease by visiting www.pdf.org/pair.

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"When our loved ones are first diagnosed, we as care partners may feel helpless, as if there is nothing we can do to fight Parkinson's disease," says Richard Hoffmann, Pharm.D., a PDF Research Advocate who works as an advisor to the US Food and Drug Administration. "But we have an intimate understanding of Parkinson's disease and a sense of urgency that few others can offer.  I encourage my fellow care partners to realize that they too can help change the future for our loved ones."

Despite promising research, there is neither a cure for Parkinson's disease nor are there medications that can reverse its course. But there can be. To get there, people living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners must be primary partners in research alongside scientists, industry and government. As a signature program of PDF, Parkinson's Advocates in Research is making this partnership a reality.

Many of PDF's Research Advocates are care partners who are working on the frontlines with researchers to solve the challenges of Parkinson's disease. They volunteer as healthy controls for clinical trials, educate their communities about research and advise professionals designing studies. PDF invites care partners to join the Parkinson's Advocates in Research program by applying to an upcoming training by Monday, December 16 or by taking its online course, both available at www.pdf.org/pair.

"Care partners have unique insights to offer professionals who are developing new therapies, including a passion and commitment that few others possess," said Veronica Todaro, M.P.H., PDF's Vice President, National Programs. "This November, we ask care partners to help us change research. Their contributions are essential to bringing about better treatments at a faster pace."

Learn how care partners and their loved ones living with Parkinson's disease are changing research at www.pdf.org/pair.

About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US. Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's.

About PDF's Programs for Care Partners
As the population of the US ages, the incidence of Parkinson's disease is expected to increase.  This will affect the number of people needed to care for people living with Parkinson's disease. To support this growing population, PDF offers programming and services for care partners, including a toll-free HelpLine available at (800) 457-6676, an online seminar held annually during National Family Caregivers Month and print resources geared toward care partner needs. To learn more, visit www.pdf.org/caregivers_month.  

Parkinson's Disease Foundation®
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation® (PDF®) is a leading national presence in Parkinson's disease research, education and public advocacy.  We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson's disease by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson's disease through educational programs and services.  Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $100 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and over $42 million to support national education and advocacy initiatives.

SOURCE Parkinson's Disease Foundation