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British Columbia

Parkinson's Wellness Projects

Parkinson Wellness Projects (PWP) is a non-profit wellness centre on Vancouver Island for people with Parkinson’s and their families to exercise, connect, and be supported. Services include one-on-one assessments, evidence-based fitness classes, counselling, support groups, and educational talks. For support on your Parkinson’s journey, contact PWP at info@parkinsonwellness.ca or 250-360-6800.

Alberta

Parkinson Association of Alberta

Parkinson Association of Alberta is the source for support, education and inspiration for people impacted by Parkinson disease and Parkinson’s Plus Syndromes, and engagement in important quality of life research with an emphasis on Alberta.

Ontario

Passion for Parkinson's Foundation

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The Passion for Parkinson’s Foundation is a registered charity that focuses on fundraising to support and enhance the lives of individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease.  In cooperation with community partners and certified instructions it delivers free arts and exercise programs that help manage the physical, cognitive and social conditions associated with Parkinson’s.

Living Better with Parkinson's

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Living Better with Parkinson’s is a non-profit organization supporting people living with PD, their caregiver, family members and the medical community in south Georgian Bay.

Nova Scotia

Parkinson Society Nova Scotia

Parkinson Society of Nova Scotia is the voice of Nova Scotians living with Parkinson’s, their care partners, and their families living with Parkinson’s. Our mission is to help ease the burden through, education, advocacy, liaising with those engaged in research, and support.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Parkinson Society Newfoundland and Labrador

Established in 1990, Parkinson Society Newfoundland and Labrador supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as their families, loved ones and caregivers.

Canada

Parkinson Canada

With your support, you inspire the kind of action that will make a profound difference in the well-being of Canadians living with Parkinson’s. Together, we will continue the global quest for a cure and create a world without Parkinson’s.

 

 

If you wish to help in a non-financial way, consider becoming a PD Avenger!

Parkinson’s Disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. PD Avengers believe in a “Think Global, Act Local” approach to advocacy. Our vision is to end Parkinson’s. We are a global alliance of people with Parkinson’s, our partners and friends, standing together to demand change in how the disease is seen and treated.

https://www.pdavengers.com/

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Why We Are Doing it

You have probably heard of Parkinson’s Disease. You may even know people who suffer from it.  Get used to it, as Parkinson’s Disease is the world’s fastest growing neurological condition, set to double in number by 2040.

Parkinson’s Disease occurs when the brain’s dopamine-producing cells die prematurely. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter necessary for many functions of the brain and body, including muscular control, and its loss affects all forms of movement and balance, as well as non-motor functions such as memory, concentration and motivation.  Think of dopamine as the electricity in an electric car: without it, the lights dim and the wheels stop spinning.

There is currently no cure, no bio-markers to aid detection, and little is known about how it is triggered, except that Canadians are disproportionately afflicted

Most people living with Parkinson’s reduce or even discontinue regular intensive physical activity after their Parkinson’s diagnosis.  Why?  Their actual skills and abilities do not suddenly evaporate on the date of their diagnosis, though their mental fortitude often does.  As a result, many abandon the very restorative health practices, such as regular exercise, when they are needed the most.  For people with Parkinson’s, intensive exercise can boost energy, sharpen the mind, elevate spirits and keep the body mobile.  Studies indicate that intense exercise can help train the Parkinson’s afflicted brain to use dopamine more efficiently and be able to do more with less.

Let’s use the dopamine we have to build the lives we want.

What are We Doing

Canada is a big country.  It is home to over 100,000 people living with Parkinson’s disease, 9 in 10 of which suffer in silence, isolation, or without the support of a knowledgeable organization or community.  Starting in June 2022, we aim to cross our big country by bicycle to meet as many of these people as possible to personally deliver this message: get moving to stay moving.  

We start In Victoria, British Columbia and ride east through every Canadian province, and hundreds of cities and towns along the way.  Our route is approximately 8,000 km, and we expect to average 125 km a day, six days a week for approximately three months.  Our Spinning Wheels Tour team will include two riders with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as two ride-along supporters to keep things moving.  Along the way, we will be meeting with people whose lives are touched by Parkinson’s, and encourage them to get moving with us, get engaged in support communities, and to set up their own group athletics.

We are not athletes, just people with the resolve to do what it takes to live well with this disease, and to encourage others..  

Along the way, we hope to hear these words, “If they can do it, I can too.”