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   Raise Awareness 

#  10 Ways We Helped Our Parkinson’s Community This Year 

 Dec 10, 2019 

 

     

 Together, we made life better for people in our Parkinson’s community in 2019. Your support allowed us to launch [new, exciting initiatives](/understanding-parkinsons/getting-diagnosed "Getting Diagnosed") that are changing lives, while funding critical [research](/advancing-research "Advancing Research") and [local classes](/sites/default/files/documents/2019-community-grant-recipients.pdf "2019-community-grant-recipients.pdf") tailored to people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). With your support, we are reaching more people living with this disease in the U.S. and are closing the gap to help the 60,000 Americans diagnosed every year.

Thanks to YOU, we were able to accomplish the following in 2019:

1. **[Launched First-of-its-Kind Free Genetic Testing Initiative](/about-us/news/nurse-fellowship-program-launch "Parkinson’s Foundation Launches First-Ever Parkinson’s Nurse Fellowship Program in the US")**  
     We launched [PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease](/advancing-research/our-research/pdgeneration "PD GENEration: Powered by the Parkinson’s Foundation"), a national initiative that offers free genetic testing for clinically relevant [PD-related genes](/understanding-parkinsons/causes/genetics "Genetics & Parkinson's") and free genetic counseling. We are excited to reach our goal of testing and providing genetic counseling for up to 15,000 people with PD.
2. **[Funded $12.2 Million to Further Parkinson’s Research](/about-us/news/2019-research-centers "Parkinson’s Foundation Grants $8 Million to Further Parkinson’s Research")**  
     This was an impactful year for Parkinson’s research. We established four [new Research Centers](/about-us/news/2019-research-centers "Parkinson’s Foundation Grants $8 Million to Further Parkinson’s Research") that will receive a total of $8 million to launch PD-specific research studies. We also simultaneously funded $4.2 million across 46 [research grants](/about-us/news/2019-research-grant-investment "Parkinson’s Foundation Invests $4.2 Million in Research Grants") that support the work of promising scientists in the PD field, cutting-edge clinical trials and fellowships.
3. **[Designed Program for People Newly Diagnosed with Parkinson’s](/news/parkinsons-foundation-launches-newly-diagnosed-national-program "Parkinson's Foundation Launches “Newly Diagnosed” National Program")**  
     With a focus to reach the 60,000 people who are newly diagnosed with PD each year in the U.S., [Newly Diagnosed: Building a Better Life with Parkinson's Disease](/living-with-parkinsons/new-to-parkinsons "New to Parkinson's") aims to close the gap between diagnosis and knowing where and how to find the right information and resources to live better with PD. [Order or download the free Newly Diagnosed kit](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide "Hospital Safety Guide")[.](/library/book/newly-diagnosed-guide "Newly Diagnosed Guide")
4. **[Shared Research Findings at the 5th World Parkinson Congress](/about-us/news/2019-world-parkinsons-congress "Parkinson’s Foundation Joins Global Community at 5th World Parkinson Congress")**  
     In June, we enthusiastically joined our international community at the 5th [World Parkinson Congress](https://wpc2019.org/?) (WPC) in Kyoto, Japan, where our PD experts shared 10 research posters.
5. **[Expanded our Centers of Excellence Care Network](/about-us/news/parkinsons-foundation-designates-three-new-centers-of-excellence "Parkinson’s Foundation Designates Three New Centers of Excellence in Parkinson’s Care")**  
     Every year, we hope to bring expert care to more people with PD. In 2019, we expanded our Center of Excellence global network to include [three new centers](/about-us/news/parkinsons-foundation-designates-three-new-centers-of-excellence "Parkinson’s Foundation Designates Three New Centers of Excellence in Parkinson’s Care"). Centers of Excellence are a medical center with a specialized team who provide expert Parkinson’s care. [Find a Center of Excellence in your area](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network").
6. **Partnered with Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to [Report New Economic Burden](/about-us/news/economic-burden-of-parkinsons-disease-study "New Study Shows the Economic Burden of Parkinson’s Disease Double Previous Estimates") and [Host Policy Forum](/about-us/news/2019-parkinsons-policy-forum "Advocates from the Parkinson’s Community Unite on Capitol Hill to Urge for Critical Research Funding")**  
     In 2019, we collaborated with the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) to publish that the [economic burden of Parkinson’s](/about-us/news/economic-burden-of-parkinsons-disease-study "New Study Shows the Economic Burden of Parkinson’s Disease Double Previous Estimates") is nearly $52 billion every year. Together, we also hosted the 2019 Parkinson’s Policy Forum, bringing more than 150 advocates from across the U.S., along with leading experts in PD research to advocate for our community.
7. ![Group of people exercising](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/2019accomplishment-blog.png?itok=TrT7OqUz)   **[Granted $1.5 Million to Local Communities for Parkinson’s Programs](/about-us/news/2019-community-grants "Parkinson’s Foundation Grants $1.5 Million to Local Communities for Parkinson’s Programs")**  
     We proudly funded $1.5 million throughout 118 [community-based grants](/resources-support/community-grants "Community Grants") that provide education and outreach programs, along with local research initiatives, that address unmet needs in the PD community.
8. **[Issued First Patient-Centered Research Agenda for Women with PD](/about-us/news/women-and-parkinsons-initiative "Parkinson's Foundation Issues First Patient-Centered Research Agenda for Women Living with Parkinson’s")**  
     Recognizing long-standing gender disparities in Parkinson’s research and care, our Women and Parkinson’s Initiative created the first [patient-centered action agenda](/library/books/women-research-care-agenda "Women and Parkinson's Research and Care Agenda") to maximize quality of life for women with Parkinson’s.
9. **[Appointed Aware in Care Ambassadors](/about-us/news/aware-in-care-ambassadors "Parkinson’s Foundation Announces First Aware in Care Ambassadors")**  
     In 2019, we appointed our first-ever [Aware in Care](/resources-support/hospital-safety-guide "Hospital Safety Guide") Ambassadors, a volunteer group to help distribute Aware in Care kits that serve to bolster best practices in treating patients with Parkinson’s disease to both patients and healthcare providers.
10. **[Designed New Online Nurse Course](/about-us/news/parkinsons-foundation-launches-online-nurse-course "Parkinson’s Foundation Launches New Online Nurse Course")**  
     With the prevalence of PD expected to increase in the coming years, we wanted to provide more [professional education](/resources-support/professionals "For Professionals") opportunities for nurses. In 2019, we launched a [new online course for nurses](/about-us/news/parkinsons-foundation-launches-online-nurse-course "Parkinson’s Foundation Launches New Online Nurse Course") who deliver care throughout all stages of Parkinson’s.

 ![2019 accomplishment timeline](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/2019accomplishment-timeline.png?itok=SggghkhN)  **As much as we accomplished in 2019, we are committed to furthering our reach and impact in 2020 to help even more people live better with Parkinson’s. Your [continued support](https://secure3.convio.net/prkorg/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30119b?10153.donation=form1&idb=1700844935&df_id=10153&mfc_pref=T&NONCE_TOKEN=754839B7A0D75CC1741B79BD24AA57EE&_ga=2.131091919.156328742.1666020395-598789785.1665062978&10153_donation=form1) is the only way we can make that happen. Thank you.**

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