PRO Joins The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Coachella Valley's First Parkinson's Symposium in Eight Years

Indian Wells, CA – October 15, 2024 – Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) are partnering for the first time to present “Parkinson’s Today: An Educational Symposium” for Coachella Valley residents and visitors on Saturday, February 8th, 2025. The free half-day event will present three panels of subject matter experts to discuss the latest in Parkinson’s treatment, policy, and caregiving at UC Riverside Palm Desert Center in Palm Desert, CA. 

“As a proudly local, independent human resource organization, we’re happy to provide emotional and practical support for people with Parkinson’s and caregivers wherever they are on their Parkinson’s journey today,” says PRO Executive Director Eileen Lynch. “However, we are hopeful that our mission will one day become obsolete, and research organizations like The Michael J. Fox Foundation will get us there. This pivotal moment, with renewed focus on Parkinson’s due to federal legislation and celebrity attention, is a powerful time to partner with the most impactful Parkinson’s research engine in the world. We expect this symposium to be a true force-multiplier for our beloved constituents in Coachella Valley and throughout the U.S.”   

“Every person diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease embarks on their own unique journey,” says Ethan Henderson, Senior Manager at MJFF. “There is no standard manual on what to do and that can be challenging. Thankfully, Parkinson’s Resource Organization provides a wide range of resources to assist people with Parkinson’s as well as their families. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is thrilled to partner with PRO on this event to share the latest developments in the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s. In short: to bring hope.”

Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing, second-most common neurodegenerative disease in the world, and the incidence of Parkinson’s is higher in Southern California than other parts of the country. Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s, including an estimated 8-10,000 individuals in Coachella Valley.

While the severity of symptoms varies depending on the individual and the stages of the disease, there are many approaches to improving quality of life for those affected. From caregiving to therapy to surgical interventions, sharing information and resources provides immeasurable value for people with Parkinson’s, their families, and caregivers. 

The event is free to attend and pre-registration is required. Recordings of the Symposium will be released online for those unable to attend in person. For early registration, visit www.parkinsonsresource.org/symposium. 

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF)  

As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding $2 billion in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. 

Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; creates a robust open-access data set and biosample library to speed scientific breakthroughs and treatment with its landmark clinical study, PPMI; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. 

About Parkinson's Resource Organization

Founded in 1990, Parkinson's Resource Organization has been a beacon of hope and assistance for people living with Parkinson's and their families. Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world and outpaces other age-related illnesses in diagnosis. With a mission to ensure that no one is isolated because of Parkinson's, PRO offers a wide range of services, including support groups, educational resources, and advocacy. As we celebrate 35 years of service, our commitment to the Parkinson’s community remains as strong as ever.

For more information about Parkinson's Resource Organization, our new brand identity, and upcoming in-person programming, please visit parkinsonsresource.org or contact us at (760) 773-5628 or email info@parkinsonsresource.org. Parkinson’s Resource Organization is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity 501(c)(3) tax ID: #95-4304276. 

Image Gallery