April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and for the first time since the 2020 pandemic shutdown, Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) has a full slate of activities planned to raise awareness and celebrate the Parkinson’s community here in Coachella Valley and across the nation.
“Our Parkinson’s Awareness Month activities get at the heart of living with Parkinson’s – they’re all about the importance of movement and the importance of joy,” says Jo Rosen, Founder & President. “Whether you’re a person with Parkinson’s or a caregiver, you need to take care of yourself; and that means mentally as well as physically. Through fun events like our ‘Chocolate & Champagne’ Cocktail soirée we give our constituents the chance to relax and mingle, while our ‘PRO on the Move’ Walk raises awareness for this incredible community while reinforcing that regular exercise is one of the best ways to combat Parkinson’s progression.”
The organization has four events planned:
Drag Bingo – Saturday April 1st from 3-5 PM at The Barracks Bar in Cathedral City, CA. Join PRO for a raunchy good time playing bingo, with host Burna Cross. The event is free to attend; bingo cards are available via cash donation.
The ABCs of Parkinson’s Disease – April 6th, 14th, & 17th. President Jo Rosen delivers an informative lecture covering the basics of Parkinson’s, symptom progression, various treatment options, and Q&A. April 6th at Mountain View Villas in Indian Wells, CA, April 14th at Joshua Tree Community Center in Joshua Tree, CA, both at 1 PM, and April 17th at Inland Caregiver Resource Center (virtually).
PRO on the Move ‘Walk, Ride, or Roll’ – April 22nd at multiple locations across Coachella Valley and the nation. The second annual walk is intended to bring awareness to Parkinson’s, alert people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers to the free services available to them, and raise money for PRO. Last year the event raised $15,000 and inspired over 90 participants to get their move on!
Chocolate & Champagne Cocktail Soirée – April 26th from 6-8 PM at the Renaissance Esmeralda in Indian Wells, CA. Closing out the awareness month with an intimate cocktail soirée featuring chocolate desserts from local artisans, a variety of champagnes, silent auction, entertainment, and more.
“The purpose of these events is to celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness Month, raise awareness, grow our incredible local community, and raise money to support the free programs we offer to people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers,” says Rosen. “Every year, 100,000 people are newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the United States. They and their families need help navigating their new normal – this is the club nobody wants to join, but when they need us, we’re here.”
Sponsors include Renova Energy, Vibra Rehabilitation Hospital of Rancho Mirage, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Always Best Care Senior Services, KGay Radio, Alpha Media, KESQ News Channel 3, and Pacific Western Bank.
To learn more about Parkinson’s Awareness Month activities, contact Eileen Lynch at (760) 773-5628 or eileenlynch@parkinsonsresource.org. You can also learn more at www.parkinsonsresource.org/PAM. Parkinson’s Resource Organization is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity 501(c)(3) tax ID: #95-4304276.
About Parkinson’s Resource Organization: Since 1990, Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) has served countless people caring for and living with Parkinson’s disease, a disorder of the central nervous system which affects movement, often including tremors. Founder Jo Rosen was the adult child of a person living with Parkinson’s and later a spouse of a person with Parkinson’s. She was inspired to create an organization that would advocate for, educate, and provide emotional support for caregivers of people with Parkinson’s. Now, PRO is known worldwide with an online Wellness Village directory providing resources for Legal, Insurance, Financial Planning, Caregiving and Care Management, Medical Professionals, Hospice and Science as well as weekly virtual support meetings. They are working so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s and working to find choices in creating the ultimate quality of life.
###
