The American Parkinson Disease Association Launches Campaign  For Parkinson’s Awareness Month This April

New York, NY, March 22, 2016 — April is Parkinson’s disease Awareness Month and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is proud to announce its brand new APDA Red Button campaign that will bring to light to how basic everyday tasks (such as buttoning a shirt) become increasingly difficult for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and focus on health and wellness for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and their care partners. A red button will serve as APDA’s unique symbol for the month and starting April 1, supporters can visit www.apdaparkinson.org to get their own virtual red button and share buttons with others. Throughout the month, the APDA website will feature a new action each day for those who want to make a positive impact on the lives of those who battle this disease.

Every nine minutes there is a new diagnosis of PD, which means that in April alone nearly 5,000 individuals in this country will learn they have PD. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disease with no treatment, therapy, or drug to slow or halt its progression. “Imagine if one day, you couldn’t button your shirt by yourself, or pour a cup of coffee, or write a check,” states APDA President and CEO Leslie A. Chambers. “For many people living with PD, these are real challenges they are facing every day, or may face in the future. APDA’s Red Button campaign will capture attention and start important conversations about Parkinson’s Disease as we strive to educate more people about this disease, what symptoms to look for, how to help those living with it, and how to support APDA as we work hard to put an end to PD.”

For more than 50 years, APDA has led the charge as the nation’s largest grassroots organization serving the needs of those touched by Parkinson’s. The support of the general public is crucial and April is the perfect time to take action that can help the more than one million people in the United States coping with this neurological movement disorder and also fund research that will lead us to a cure.

Visit www.apdaparkinson.orgevery day in April to discover interactive ways to change lives such as sharing an APDA Red Button via social media, sharing personal stories of optimism, learning ways to achieve the best quality of life in spite of a diagnosis, gain access to helpful resources, or make a critical donation to help fund APDA’s dual purpose to Ease the Burden – Find the Cure.

Actions you can take will be showcased on the APDA website throughout the month and can bring hope and optimism to individuals and families touched by Parkinson’s disease:

• Get an APDA Red Button via Twibbon – Show support by adding an APDA Red Button to your Facebook page and share it with others (beginning April 1)

• Like APDA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/APDA.INC

• Follow APDA on Twitter @apdaparkinsons

• Thunderclap Campaign – Help APDA recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Day on April 11, as the world commemorates the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson who first identified Parkinson’s disease in 1817 when he published “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy” (beginning April 1)

• Participate in a local APDA Optimism Walk. Optimism Walks are nationwide movement to mobilize and inspire people to step up and help put an end to Parkinson’s disease. Join others who will collectively walk hundreds of miles this year for PD. The 2016 Optimism Walk season is open for registration and will take place in more than 20 locations including, Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Waterford, Westport and West Hartford, CT; Madison, WI; Nashville, TN; Warwick, RI; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA; Boca Raton, FL; and others throughout the United States.

• Join the APDA team and participate in the Parkinson’s Unity Walk (PUW 2016) on Saturday, April 23, in Central Park, NYC. PUW was established in 1994 through the dedicated efforts of patients, families, support groups, and friends who were affected by PD. Over the years, the Unity Walk has grown from 200 participants at the first event to more than to 10,000 participants at the 2015 Walk. Register now at www.unitywalk.org and don’t forget to stop by APDA’s booth and say hello.

 

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to assist the more than 1 million Americans with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $170 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease.

Contact:
Eloise Caggiano