Parkinson's Awareness Month 2023 Wrap-Up

Posted: May 8, 2023
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I am just writing to say thank you. I’ll be honest – I didn’t quite know what to expect when we put together our biggest month of activities in years to celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Our goal was two-fold: raise awareness about the single fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and raise money to ensure Parkinson’s Resource Organization can continue providing free emotional support and practical resources to people with Parkinson’s and caregivers. We decided to focus on two important habits to cultivate when living with Parkinson’s: movement and joy.

To that end – PRO on the Move. The second annual ‘walk, ride, or roll’ event featured SIX teams scattered across the Coachella Valley, in Los Angeles, and even as far away as The Bahamas! Each team brought their own flavor to the event – Team PDG Strong toasted their 3-mile walk with Bloody Mary’s, while the Woodland Hills Walkers polished off a rigorous exercise class with bagels and coffee.

Exercise of any form has been proven as one of the most effective treatments to slow the progression of Parkinson’s but the best part of the walks, for me, are the conversations they start. Every place we ‘walked’, we met people living with Parkinson’s who needed to know about our services. Click the image below to see coverage of the event.

We brought joy to everything we did in April, but two especially joyful occasions opened and closed the month. We kicked things off with Drag Bingo – an 80s themed party with bingo winners, a costume contest, raffle prizes, and more. Thank you to all who joined!

But it wasn’t all parties – the purpose of Parkinson’s Awareness Month is to educate people. Jo delivered her enlightening lecture The ABCs of Parkinson’s Disease to four separate crowds in April, including virtually to the Inland Empire Caregivers Association and to the Retired Teachers Association in Joshua Tree, CA. Request a PDF of the lecture.

And on World Parkinson’s Day – April 11th –PRO board members Matthew and Michael Lu talked to KESQ News Channel 3 about their own experience with young-onset Parkinson’s, spreading the word to ensure no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s. Click below to see the full video.

We closed out the month in style – with our Chocolate & Champagne Cocktail Soiree. This was our major fundraising event for the month, and I’m thrilled to report it was one of our top three most successful events ever! I am humbled by your generosity. To me the emotional high point was listening to world-renowned tenor Maximo Marcuso deliver a poignant rendition of The Prayer.

“I pray you'll be our eyes / And watch us where we go / And help us to be wise/ In times when we don't know.”

Maximo’s own mother had Parkinson’s and his gorgeous tribute to her left very few dry eyes in the room. Click below to see coverage of the event.

To everyone we met for the first time last month – welcome. We are so glad for the opportunity to share our resources with you. To everyone who joined us virtually or in-person from near and far – thank you. To our volunteers – thank you. To our sponsors – thank you. To our community which inspires us so – thank you.

Click below for a special video roundup of PRO’s 2023 Parkinson’s Awareness Month.