The Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland Chapter will host its first Parkinson’s disease (PD) education program titled “Women and PD” in the Heartland on November 2, 2018, 9:30 a.m.- Noon, in Overland Park at 119th, 6101 W. 119th Street. This program will focus on empowering women with PD through education, self-advocacy and emotional wellness strategies.
One million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, with 60,000 people newly diagnosed each year. The disease not only impacts people with Parkinson’s, but their care partners, family and friends. This Women and PD program is a result of Parkinson’s Foundation research revealing that women experience PD differently, from the risk factors to PD symptoms, treatment and care.
“The Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland Chapter is thrilled to bring the Women and PD program to our Parkinson’s community,” said Jane Ann Gorsky, Executive Director at the Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland Chapter. “We recognize how important it is for women to understand the unique ways Parkinson’s affects their lives and to encourage them to access resources for living better with PD.”
This Heartland event stems from a two-year Parkinson’s Foundation project funded through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) award. The national project will create the first prioritized, patient-centered Women and PD research agenda and action plan, which will raise awareness and implement change in the way Parkinson’s disease is treated and studied in women.
Parkinson’s experts Susan Sifers, MD, MS, Michelle Haub, MS, and Lou Eisenbrandt, RN, will speak at the Heartland Women and PD event about navigating care and emotional wellness for women living with PD. Attendees will also be invited to participate in a question and answer panel session.
The Parkinson’s Foundation invites women with Parkinson’s, caregivers, family, friends and anyone interested in learning more about Parkinson’s to attend. There is no charge, but registration is required. Participants can register at Parkinson.org/Heartland/WomenAndPD.
About the Parkinson’s Foundation The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy,
experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636)
About Parkinson’s Disease Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for parkinsons.
