Educational Events

Parkinson's Anonymous

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Free
Husband and wife lookin at a tablet while on their porch

Parkinson's Anonymous Series: New to PD

Designed for people with Parkinson’s, this webinar will highlight the challenges many people face when deciding how and when to share their diagnosis publicly. Recognizing that both cultural and financial factors come into play, the decision to “come out” with Parkinson’s can be emotional and personal. Attendees will hear from peers who have navigated this process and the lessons they’ve learned. We will highlight ways to find support without sharing a diagnosis beyond your comfort level.  

We will be hosting a second Parkinson's Anonymous event, designed for care partners and loved ones of a person living with Parkinson's, who have not shared their diagnosis publicly. Care partners, please join us on November 15th for "Parkinson's Anonymous: New to PD Caregiving".

Speakers

JM Kenny, Person with Parkinson's

Elva Brown, Person with Parkinson's

Anna Grill, Person with Parkinson's

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Parkinson's 101: What You and Your Family Should Know

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Free
Husband and wife lookin at a tablet while on their porch

Wellness Wednesday

This program will provide a basic overview of Parkinson’s disease. Learn what Parkinson’s is, what causes it, common symptoms, treatments, and strategies for managing symptoms.

Speaker

Joy Antonelle de Marcaida, MD
Hartford Healthcare, Chase Family Movement Disorder Center

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Navigating Nutrition with PD

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Free
Husband and wife lookin at a tablet while on their porch

Wellness Wednesday: Social Engagement Series

During this Social Engagement webinar, we will demonstrate the creation of a 'bowl' incorporating grains, vegetables, and protein. Additionally, we will delve into the techniques on how it can be repurposed with other sides as well if you’re meal prepping. You don’t want to miss this delightful meal.

View the recipe here.

Speaker

Erin Presant, DO, CCMS
Founder of Medicine of Yum

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

Due to the nature of our social engagement programs and to protect the privacy of participants, we will not be recording or archiving these programs. By not recording, it's our hope that the program provides a comfortable environment that encourages meaningful participation.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Understanding Mind and Memory

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EST
Free
Husband and wife lookin at a tablet while on their porch

Wellness Wednesday

Thinking changes, mental confusion, and altered behaviors can often occur in Parkinson’s disease. These changes can be frustrating and challenging and often have a significant impact on quality of life for the person with Parkinson’s and those close to them.  With a focus on mid to late-stage Parkinson’s, understand what causes these changes, ways to manage them and how to communicate concerns with family members and the care team.

Speaker

Myriam Sollman, PhD, ABPP, Neuropsychologist
Prisma Health U of SC School of Medicine

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Special thanks to our sponsor:

Acadia Logo

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Join health psychologist, Taylor Rush, PhD, as she explores different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Taylor Rush, PhD - Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Equanimity

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Managing a chronic condition can bring up feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. In this session we will think together about the cultivation of equanimity through mindfulness practice and offer a meditation specifically designed to build equanimity in the face of life’s most pressing challenges.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Devon Hase, Meditation Teacher, Author

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Open to Gratitude

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Join us every Monday as our expert speaker leads you in guided relaxation techniques to help boost brain power and reduce stress.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Crista Ellis, BS, RYT-200 - Yoga and Meditation teacher, Community Engagement Manager, Parkinson's Foundation

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Mental Wellbeing

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Join health psychologist, Taylor Rush, PhD, as she explores different dimensions of a mindfulness practice. She will share ways to ground and settle the mind and body. These mindfulness techniques can offer moments of respite and clarity that can be useful throughout your week. Find a comfortable seat and join your mindful Parkinson's community for a special session.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Taylor Rush, PhD - Health Psychologist, Director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs, Center for Neurological Restoration, Cleveland Clinic

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

Educational Events

Mindfulness Mondays - Joy

Virtual ( Zoom )
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST
FREE
Woman sitting on the couch drinking coffee

Most of us think of joy as a happy accident. But joy can be cultivated through simple, accessible mindfulness practices. In this session we will talk together about how to build joy into your days, and introduce a joy meditation that you can do sitting quietly or on the go.

Whether this is your first mindfulness Monday, or you are a returning participant, these sessions are created with the intention of including everyone. There will be time for questions following the practice.

Speaker

Nico Hase, PhD

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

This is a virtual program, taking place live, using the online Zoom platform. Instructions on joining the webinar are provided after registering.

Upcoming Events

My PD Story

Group of 23andMe
General PD Community

Karl Heilbron

In 2016, Karl Heilbron, PhD, joined 23andMe as a postdoctoral researcher studying Parkinson's disease (PD). He knew his work with genetic data could be important to improving the lives of people with PD in the future but wanted to do something to support them now.

“I’m a geneticist by training and basically my job was to try and make some new research discoveries regarding Parkinson’s disease using a large amount of genetic data that 23andMe had collected,” Karl said. “My boss at that time also happened to be living with Parkinson’s. I was inspired by seeing his daily struggles with the disease to do something more to help. I knew that working with these data could hopefully lead to discoveries that could improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s, or even lead to a cure, but that could take time because research is a long road. I wanted to get more involved and actually meet other people with Parkinson’s and find a way to help them today.”

Karl learned about the Parkinson’s Foundation from his boss and decided to start a company team for Moving Day. Now, years later, employees at 23andMe look forward to Moving Day San Francisco every year. However, it's not just the walk they are excited about — it's the company-wide talent show they put on to raise money that keeps people talking.

From musical acts and art displays to “synchronized scientists” portraying genetic code in an elaborate on-land synchronized swimming spectacle, the 23andMe talent show allows employees to share their skills and get to know their coworkers in a new way.

"People tell us every year that this is the company event they look forward to most," said Karl. "For one day, you get to see all of the talents your coworkers have, have a ton of fun and feel great about raising money for an excellent cause."

The 23andMe team has grown each year. In addition to the talent show, they hold a bake sale and silent auction. In 2022, the 23andMe team raised $25,831 and the company's Co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki matched that amount for a total of $51,644.

“It’s a real day of unity and a whirlwind of excitement for the whole company,” Karl said. “Everyone loves the entertainment and sharing their talents, and they also leave the day feeling very good about what they raised money for.”

Karl feels his involvement with the Parkinson’s Foundation, and in getting his coworkers involved, has allowed him to fulfill his desire to help people living with Parkinson’s today. He is excited about the research the Foundation funds but appreciates all of the resources it has developed to assist people living with Parkinson’s, especially community programs.

“I served as a community grant reviewer last year and I got to take a peek behind the scenes of the kinds of programs that receive funding from the Parkinson’s Foundation,” he said. “I could really see the attention the Foundation gives to trying to ensure everyone with Parkinson’s has access to resources, regardless of where they live.”

Karl is proud of all of the funds his Moving Day team has raised for the Foundation and hopes other companies will get creative to raise money and awareness like 23andMe has. He has even developed a “playbook” to help other companies/individuals start their own fundraising team. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to reach out to him.

"Our team has been the number two team in the country for the past few years," Karl said. "That’s something we are really proud of, and we're proud to support everything the Foundation is doing to help people with Parkinson's."

To find a Moving Day walk near you, visit Parkinson.org/MovingDay.

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