PD Active

Here's the ask:  PD Active operates on a local level, offering daily programming and support to individuals.  We have an opportunity to improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson's disease by making a gift to PD Active. A donation of any amount will help. Taken together, our donations will have a significant impact now and in the future.

Why Parkinson’s disease? 
More than one million Americans, including myself, are living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD also affects the lives of friends, family and caregivers who help people with PD. Medications help treat symptoms but they are not currently able to stop, slow or reverse disease progression. Research has shown that exercise is the best available strategy for fighting back against PD. To live well, people with PD must keep on moving — in other words, “use it or lose it!” Research also indicates that social engagement helps people with PD cope with and mitigate their symptoms. 

Why am I asking you to give to PD Active?
I'm raising money for PD Active because it is laser-focused on keeping people with PD moving and engaged.  
PD Active is a non-profit founded by and for people with PD that:
— provides movement classes such as brain training, tai chi and yoga that are designed for people with PD
— sponsors educational events with experts that share fundamental and timely information about PD
— facilitates a wide range of free support groups for people with PD, people with young onset PD, adult children of people with PD, and care partners. 

PD Active has also prioritized outreach to bring greater diversity to its membership and reduce the health care disparities that exist in the PD community.  PD Active’s efforts help create a broader, more informed and healthier PD community.

PD Active does all of this impactful work with two part-time staff, an inspired team of volunteers, experienced instructors and dedicated members. PD Active is the “little engine that could,” punching well above its weight. 
I am asking you to make a donation of any amount so that PD Active can increase its critically important and effective efforts to ensure that those affected by Parkinson’s disease will live healthier lives!

Disparities in Care
Health care disparities mean that many people have Parkinson's disease but have not yet been diagnosed, and are not receiving the type of care that will enable them to live long and healthy lives. I am committed to helping others fight PD. The fight starts with being diagnosed early in the course of the disease. PD Active is focused on reducing the disparity in diagnosis and treatment and increasing information sharing across the community.  I hope you will join me by making a donation now. Thank you!

My Story
More than one million Americans, including myself, are living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD also affects the lives of friends, family and caregivers who help people with PD. Medications help treat symptoms but they are not currently able to stop, slow or reverse disease progression.  I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease at age 49. The diagnosis was a shock. The symptoms of the disease changed the course of my life. My friends and family know that I am a fighter. Every day I do something that my health care providers think will give me the best chance to slow the progression of the disease. I stay engaged in the community. I have radically changed my diet and committed to a daily dose of exercise and a more balanced life.  Research has shown that exercise is the best available strategy for fighting back against PD. To live well, people with PD must keep on moving — in other words, “use it or lose it!” Research also indicates that social engagement helps people with PD cope with and mitigate their symptoms. 

Why am I asking you to give to PD Active?
I'm raising money for PD Active because it is laser-focused on keeping people with PD moving and engaged.  
PD Active is a non-profit founded by and for people with PD that:
— provides movement classes such as brain training, tai chi and yoga that are designed for people with PD
— sponsors educational events with experts that share fundamental and timely information about PD
— facilitates a wide range of free support groups for people with PD, people with young onset PD, adult children of people with PD, and care partners. 
PD Active has also prioritized outreach to bring greater diversity to its membership and reduce the health care disparities that exist in the PD community.  
Taken together, PD Active’s efforts help create a broader, more informed and healthier PD community.
PD Active does all of this impactful work with two part-time staff, an inspired team of volunteers, experienced instructors and dedicated members. PD Active is the “little engine that could,” punching well above its weight. 
I am asking you to make a donation of any amount so that PD Active can increase its critically important and effective efforts to ensure that those affected by Parkinson’s disease will live healthier lives!

Disparities in Care
Health care disparities mean that many people have Parkinson's disease but have not yet been diagnosed, and are not receiving the type of care that will enable them to live long and healthy lives. I am committed to helping others fight PD. The fight starts with being diagnosed early in the course of the disease. PD Active is focused on reducing the disparity in diagnosis and treatment and increasing information sharing across the community.  I hope you will join me by making a donation now. Thank you!

The fight against Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is personal for me. I was diagnosed with Young Onset PD in 2018. I have been working hard to do what my doctors think will give me the best chance to slow the progression of the disease. This means radically changing my diet, exercising, doing different types of physical therapy, and being engaged in the world. The journey led me to PD Active, where I’m a board member and a consumer of their services. 

PD Active’s core purpose is to serve and support people with PD and their families and care partners. PD Active aims to help people shift from having Parkinson's disease being an experience of disability to an experience of life. PD Active hosts well-attended speaker forums and roundtables with experts, sponsors exercise and movement programs, and convenes support groups for people with PD, their care partners and children of people with PD. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, PD Active has managed to stay vibrant even in the face of unforeseen obstacles. The PD Active calendar is full with virtual programs, classes and events; more options now, during Covid, than have ever been offered. And each week new members, from the greater Bay Area and beyond, join the community. In short, PD Active is robust and growing.  

PD Active was founded in the East Bay more than ten years ago and now serves a community of more than 1,000 people locally and virtually. Donations make it possible for PD Active to provide critical and life-affirming programs to an ever-growing number of people affected by Parkinson’s and their families. 

I hope that you will make a donation to PD Active. I can assure you that your donation of any amount will be put to good use and will have a direct impact on PD Active and our community. With your help, I am aiming to raise $10,000 or more, enabling PD Active to continue to provide movement classes, educational events, and support groups on a virtual basis. 

I am also interested in hearing an update about your lives. 

PD Active website has additional information if you're interested in our class calendar or video workouts.

Thank you!