Parkinson’s Foundations Announces Grants for Local Programs Across 40 States

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The Parkinson’s Foundation announced the recipients of community grants for research on the disease.¹ Programs across 40 states received a total of more than $1 million from the foundation, who chose the programs based on their ability to impact local communities and provide support and educational needs for people living with Parkinson’s.

The grants range from $10,000 to $25,000 per program.

In a press release, the foundation’s president and CEO John L. Lehr said, “Community grants help people with PD live better lives, today. These investments reflect the Foundation's continued commitment to meeting unmet needs in the Parkinson's community."

Esther Labib-Kiyarash is a member of the 2024 Community Grant Review Community, along with being a person living with Parkinson’s. In the same press release, she said, “Being a grant reviewer was a reminder of how many people in cities and towns all over the country are working hard to improve the lives of those of us with Parkinson's disease and our care partners. Sometimes it's easy to lose hope, but the really creative and impactful programs that the Parkinson's Foundation is funding gives me so much hope for the future. These programs truly make it possible for people to live better lives with this disease."

In the same press release, Dr. Erika Jackson, PT, DPT, added, “The Community Grant we received from the Parkinson's Foundation will enable us to significantly enhance our rehab programming, providing much-needed support and resources to individuals living with Parkinson's disease. This funding will help us improve the quality of life for our participants, offering them specialized care and rehabilitation services tailored to their unique needs."

Johnson is the co-founder and CEO of Supreme Physical Therapy and Wellness Rehabilitation Center LLC in Houston.

The Parkinson’s Foundation regularly invests in research and testing, along with providing support to local programs. In February of this year, the foundation announced that it had received a grant from the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) to be used to expand a landmark genetics study.²

In a press release issued at the time, ASAP managing director Ekemini Rily, PhD, said, “ASAP is excited to provide funding to the Parkinson's Foundation to help expand their landmark genetic study PD GENEration, which is, in turn, creating a return of results pathway to those participating in GP2 affiliated studies. We are excited to learn from this pilot in the US and South America and examine ways to expand it globally. As ASAP works to foster collaboration and resource development to accelerate the pace of discovery in Parkinson's disease, we must prioritize diversity and ensure all populations are included in research and clinical trials.”

Sources

1. Parkinson's Foundation Awards Grants in 40 States for Parkinson's Community Programs. Parkinson’s Foundation. August 6, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parkinsons-foundation-awards-grants-in-40-states-for-parkinsons-community-programs-302213608.html
2. Parkinson's Foundation to Accelerate Research Through Expanded Genetic Testing and Counseling Study. Parkinson’s Foundation. February 6, 2024. Accessed August 6, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/parkinsons-foundation-to-accelerate-research-through-expanded-genetic-testing-and-counseling-study-302052361.html