Phil Franchina, Author at American Parkinson Disease Association

Congressional Champions Push to Seat the National Parkinson’s Plan Advisory Council

Posted on January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 by Phil Franchina

Congressional Champions Push to Seat the National Parkinson’s Plan Advisory Council On Friday, January 9, Representatives Paul Tonko, Gus M....see more Bilirakis, Nanette Diaz Barrágan, Brian K. Fitzpatrick, Russ Fulcher, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Thomas H. Kean, Jr., Jennifer L. McClellan, and Suhas Subramanyam issued a bipartisan letter addressed to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and National […]

APDA Presses Secretary Kennedy to Launch the National Parkinson’s Project Alongside Leading Parkinson’s Organizations

Posted on January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 by Phil Franchina

This week, the American Parkinson...see more Disease Association’s (APDA) Department of Public Policy & Advocacyis intensifying efforts to push the federal government to move forward—without further delay—on the National Parkinson’s Project (NPP). Together with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research […]

Constipation in Early Parkinson’s Disease is Linked to Neuroinflammation

Posted on January 2, 2026January 2, 2026 by Phil Franchina

Constipation can be a very early non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s...see more disease (PD) often appearing long before motor symptoms. A new study published in Movement Disorders on November 13, 2025, investigated the potential link between constipation and early PD development. The new study entitled “Constipation is Linked […]

Breaking News: Medicare Coverage Policy to Include External Infusion Pumps for PD Treatment

Posted on December 18, 2025December 18, 2025 by Phil Franchina

In an exciting step forward for...see more PD treatment, APDA’s Advocacy team successfully secured changes to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) External Infusion Pump Local Coverage Determination (LCD) to include infusion-based therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). LCDs play an […]

Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant

Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by Phil Franchina

Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant: Grant year 2027 Letter of Intent open: Nov 28, 2025 Letter of Intent...see more due: Jan 30, 2026 Invitation for full application: March 20, 2026 Full Application due: June 5, 2026 Award details One year grant up to a maximum of $75,000 will be awarded to research scientists (MD, MD/PhD, […]

CARE PARTNER CONNECTION

Posted on December 8, 2025December 15, 2025 by Phil Franchina

APDA Care Partner Connection™ is a free, eight-week virtual support program designed specifically for care partners...see more of people living with PD. Whether you’re caring for a spouse, parent, or friend, this program offers a supportive space to connect, share, and learn alongside others who understand the caregiving journey. Do you find yourself […]

DID YOU KNOW DANCE CAN HELP MANAGE PARKINSON’S?

Posted on December 8, 2025January 5, 2026 by Phil Franchina

Did you know that hitting the dance floor can do more...see more than lift your spirits? It can actually benefit people living with PD. Through music and movement, dance helps improve balance, posture, coordination, and flexibility, while reducing stiffness and enhancing mobility. Learning choreography can enhance memory, improve […]

INTERESTED IN ADVOCACY?

Posted on December 8, 2025December 15, 2025 by Phil Franchina

APDA recently established a new Department of Public Policy & Advocacy. This is a vital step...see more in strengthening our voice on behalf of the PD community. We encourage you to learn more about this new area of focus by reading the press release announcement and a new blog post about our advocacy […]

FROM ONE WOMAN’S VISION TO A NATIONWIDE MISSION: THE APDA STORY

Posted on December 8, 2025December 8, 2025 by Phil Franchina

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) began not...see more in a boardroom, but in a Staten Island, NY, living room in 1961. It was there that Sophia Esposito Maestrone, seeking a way to honor her late mother, Elena Esposito, chose to create something lasting — […]

BREAKTHROUGH FUNDING TO ADVANCE PARKINSON’S RESEARCH

Posted on December 8, 2025December 15, 2025 by Phil Franchina

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has awarded $4.04 million in new research...see more funding for the 2025–2026 grant cycle. This marks a 55% increase in funding over last year. We are thrilled to share this major milestone in our ongoing mission to make hope possible. This investment supports a […]

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Congressional Champions Push to Seat the National Parkinson’s Plan Advisory Council

APDA Presses Secretary Kennedy to Launch the National Parkinson’s Project Alongside Leading Parkinson’s Organizations

Constipation in Early Parkinson’s Disease is Linked to Neuroinflammation

Breaking News: Medicare Coverage Policy to Include External Infusion Pumps for PD Treatment

Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant

CARE PARTNER CONNECTION

DID YOU KNOW DANCE CAN HELP MANAGE PARKINSON’S?

INTERESTED IN ADVOCACY?

FROM ONE WOMAN’S VISION TO A NATIONWIDE MISSION: THE APDA STORY

BREAKTHROUGH FUNDING TO ADVANCE PARKINSON’S RESEARCH

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