NEW YORK, NY, July 22, 2014 - National Parkinson's organizations are working together to help provide Parkinson's patients and caregivers with knowledge and support to optimize their care through the "Partners in Parkinson's" strategic health initiative launched by The Michael J. Fox Foundation and AbbVie.
Partners in Parkinson's offers Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and caregivers virtual and face-to-face opportunities to connect with knowledge, tools and support to optimize care from diagnosis through advanced stages of disease.
The Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF), which has gained the trust and respect of countless people with Parkinson's through its popular The Victory Summit® symposium series and other programs designed to help people with Parkinson's to live well today, will serve as National Presenting Partner. The Davis Phinney Foundation signed on in early 2014, lending its expertise in helping patients live well holistically with Parkinson's disease. As National Presenting Partner, the DPF will lead a breakout session on "Living Well with Parkinson's: A Holistic Approach That Can Benefit You Today and Tomorrow" at each of 11 Partners in Parkinson's events taking place across the United States in 2014. The session will encourage patients to define immediate action steps that may have long-term benefits -- including adopting a more active lifestyle and defining a routine to fuel mind and body.
"The Davis Phinney Foundation is committed to empowering the Parkinson's community to take a proactive role in their care, positively impacting their own outcomes and the lives of those around them," said Polly Dawkins, executive director, The Davis Phinney Foundation. "Collaborating with MJFF, AbbVie and other Parkinson's groups allows the Davis Phinney Foundation to spread our message of holistic wellness as well as share the resources we provide to help people living with Parkinson's disease to live well today. It also shows the community our organizations' shared commitment to improving the quality of life for Parkinson's families at every stage of this disease."
Partners in Parkinson's also will benefit from the contributions of other national Parkinson's organizations including The Parkinson's Action Network (PAN). As a National Participating Partner, PAN will be present to discuss Parkinson's related policy issues in the resource fair at each event this year. Additionally, Partners in Parkinson's will continue to work with locally-based organizations for each event. These Partners, from communities across the country, will team up with the program to connect Parkinson's patients with resources in their own backyard.
"The action-oriented and optimistic messages of The Davis Phinney Foundation and the Parkinson's Action Network are a natural fit for the Partners in Parkinson's program, which aims to provide a wealth of tools and resources to help patients and families live their best lives with Parkinson's," says Todd Sherer, PhD, chief executive officer of The Michael J. Fox Foundation
For a full list of 2014 events, to RSVP for an event or to learn more, visit www.partnersinparkinsons.org