PORT SAINT LUCIE — April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) Florida Chapter, as well as the APDA Information & Referral (I&R) Center at the University of Miami, will commemorate the month by raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the importance of connection and community through the theme of Living Better Together. Through a nationwide network of Chapters and I&R Centers, APDA works tirelessly to provide the support, education, and research that helps people impacted by PD live life to the fullest. The APDA Florida Chapter and I&R Center support people living with PD throughout Florida and beyond, as well as their care partners, friends and family.

Often the first line of defense after a diagnosis, APDA helps people with PD and their loved ones build a community and assemble the resources and support they need to make their journey more positive. APDA connects people to the information they need to feel more in control; to the medical experts who can help them manage their disease; and to the local support and services that can help them feel less alone.

The APDA Florida Chapter and I&R Center have a full roster of activities planned for the month (and beyond) and many ways for people to get involved. Upcoming activities include Connect with the Care Team on April 9, and the Chapter’s largest educational event, the Live Well Symposium, in Boca Raton on April 20. Registration for both events is open now. Additionally, throughout April APDA will share educational information, along with messages of togetherness, optimism, and support on all APDA social media channels using #LivingBetterTogether, #LivingWithPD and #APDAconnects.

There are nearly 80,000 people living with PD in Florida. Now more than ever, it is critical to engage, inform, and support the PD community and raise awareness about this disease, and Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month is a prime time to shine a spotlight on this issue.
“Every six minutes there is a new diagnosis of PD, which means that in April alone nearly 7,200 people in this country will learn they have PD. These people need to know that they are not alone, and that APDA is here for them,” states Desirae Mearns, Program Director, APDA Florida Chapter.
“Here in Florida, we are the boots on the ground. We see time and time again that people with Parkinson’s feel more supported and optimistic when they have others in their corner. From support groups and exercise classes to educational seminars and access to PD experts, the APDA Florida Chapter can help connect you to so many people and resources that can improve your PD experience,” Mearns adds.

Beyond Florida, APDA offers extensive virtual programming to make sure that no matter where you live, you have access to high-quality PD information and programs and feel connected to the PD community even from afar. From popular webinar series like Dr. Gilbert Hosts and the ongoing Spanish-language Café con la doctora program, to the robust calendar of virtual exercise and movement classes – there is something for everyone.

Support from the general public is crucial, and April is the perfect time to take action and help the more than one million people in the United States coping with this chronic neurological movement disorder. People can help by raising awareness of PD and/or by making a donation that enables APDA to continue their critical work and fund research that will lead to better treatments and ultimately, a cure; every effort makes a difference. Visit www.apdaparkinson.org to learn more.

For more information about APDA programs, services, and support in Florida, contact the APDA Florida Chapter at 954-952-0429 or apdaflorida@apdaparkinson.org.