The Parkinson Council is the premier local organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients, caregivers, and their families impacted by Parkinson’s disease. We invest in research, education and programs provided by world renowned institutions and innovative service organizations in the Delaware Valley. We strengthen our role in the Parkinson’s community by increasing the number of lives we touch every year.
3. Parkinson’s disease affects 1.6 million people in the U.S. and, according to the
National Institutes of Health, about 50,000 new cases are reported
annually. This number will rise dramatically with the aging of the “Baby
Boomer” generation.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease range from tremors, slowness of movement,
rigidity, difficulty walking and poor balance to difficulty in speech and
swallowing, depression and memory loss. It is a chronic neurodegenerative
illness with variable progression over time, usually leading to disability and
death within 10-15 years of diagnosis. Each person diagnosed with
Parkinson's will experience symptoms differently.
We do not know what causes Parkinson’s disease and, as yet, there is no
known cure.
ABOUT PARKINSON’S DISEASE
Parkinson's disease was first described in England in 1817 by Dr. James
Parkinson. The disease most often develops after age 50. It is the second most
common nervous system disorder of the elderly. Sometimes Parkinson's
disease occurs in younger adults, but is rarely seen in children. It affects both
men and women.
4. Disease
# US Patients
Leukemia & Lymphoma
900,000
Multiple Sclerosis
400,000
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
30,000
Parkinson’s Disease
1.5 million
IMPACT
Parkinson’s Disease affects more people than Leukemia, MS, and ALS
combined
5. NATIONAL PARKINSON ORGANIZATIONS
National Organizations that Focus on Parkinson’s Research, Services and Education
Michael J.
Fox
Foundation
The Parkinson
Council
National
Parkinson
Foundation
Parkinson
Disease
Parkinson
Foundation
Disease
Foundation
American
Parkinson
Disease
Association
With several national organizations dedicated to research and quality of life
issues for Parkinson’s patients, this often leads to inefficiencies. It is also
difficult to determine their impact on local communities.
NPF
Chapters
Parkinson
Action
Network
Davis
Phinney,
etc.
7. The Parkinson Council, an affiliated chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), raises
funds to provide resources and services to people with Parkinson’s disease living within the
Delaware Valley region.
Our Mission
The mission of The Parkinson Council is to raise funds to provide financial support and grants
to locally based nonprofits dedicated to improving the quality of life for Parkinson’s disease
patients, caregivers and families.
Our Values and Vision
The Parkinson Council is the premier local organization dedicated to improving the quality of
life for patients, caregivers, and their families impacted by Parkinson’s disease.
We invest in research, education and services provided by world renowned institutions, and
innovative service organizations in the greater Philadelphia area.
We strengthen our role in the Parkinson’s community by increasing the number of lives we
touch every year.
www.theparkinsoncouncil.org
giving@theparkinsoncouncil.org
WHO WE ARE
About The Parkinson Council
8. Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jeffrey Keefer, President
Jo-Ann Zoll, Vice President
Karen Jacobson, Vice President
Mark Wilkin, Treasurer
Ryan Haaz, Secretary
Erika Aaron
Geraldine Aaron
Jan Albert
Stephanie Lim Capello
Vito Cosmo, Jr.
Lisa Fiorito
Dan Forman
Donald Garfinkel
Judi Guinan
Arlene Halpern
Herb Hopkins
Lorraine Iacovitti
Carol Leiper
Barry Milberg
Marie Molchen
William Quinlan
Suzanne Reichwein
Ronald S. Robbins
Wendy R. Lewis, Executive Director
Geoffrey S. Harden, Development and Communications Director
www.theparkinsoncouncil.org
giving@theparkinsoncouncil.org
OUR PEOPLE
The Council recognizes that an important aspect of our work is cultivation of community
advocates and leaders. Our volunteer Board consists of experts in law, healthcare, research,
nonprofit management and business development. With our volunteers and staff, The
Council is able to grant financial resources to local providers of high quality services and
resources to people with Parkinson’s and their families in the region.
9. SUMMER SOLSTICE/SPRING SWING: Our 3nd annual event in 2013, raised awareness and celebrated Parkinson’s Disease
Awareness Month in April.
GOLF: Since 1999, The Parkinson Council has presented the Golf Classic tournament at highly renowned golf courses
throughout the Philadelphia region such as Saucon Valley, Philadelphia Cricket Club , and Philmont. In the event’s history, the
golf outing has raised over $3.6 million to benefit local research and services associated with Parkinson’s disease.
PARKINSON’S NIGHT AT CITIZEN’S BANK PARK: 2013 was our 8th year participating in the Phillies Phunraising Program, where
a percentage of tickets sold supports the mission of The Council.
WALK: For 12 years, walkers of all ages joined together during our annual Stamp Out Parkinson’s Walk, the biggest grassroots
event in the Delaware Valley region devoted to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease. In 2013, The Parkinson Council
moved the walk from April to October . To date, our walk has raised more than $1.6 million to support Parkinson’s patients and
their families.
#GIVINGTUESDAY: #GivingTuesday is a call to action (globally and locally) that encourages personal philanthropy through
bigger, better and smarter charitable giving during the holiday season. As a returning #GivingTuesday partner, The Parkinson
Council is seeking financial support to expand movement classes (Dance, Yoga, Pilates) in our region for people with
Parkinson’s and their care partners.
*Contributions to The Parkinson Council: 2010 - 2012
2010
$565,000
2012
$877,202*
2011
$622,867
*Includes special events, memorials, honorariums
In 2014, our goal is to increase the visibility of our
work, strengthen our partnerships, and diversify our
funding base.
www.theparkinsoncouncil.org
giving@theparkinsoncouncil.org
WHERE OUR DOLLARS COME FROM
Our Events in 2013
10. MAPS,
$23,000
MossRehab, Arcadia,
$28,282 $15,000
Jefferson,
$408,500
Funding Priorities: 2014
Bryn Mawr,
$1,000
Penn,
$755,888
Patient and
Caregiver
Services,
(44%)
Clinical and
Scientific
Research,
(29%)
Outreach
and
Education,
(27%)
GS/PP,
$53,077
CNDR,
$108,000
Summary of Strategic Goals and Priorities
Highlight of Our Work in 2013
Invested in:
Improved access to physical therapy, social supports and
education for Parkinson’s patients, including traditionally
underserved populations, and their families.
Mobility equipment to help Parkinson's patients with
financial hardships stay mobile and engaged.
Innovative research to advance treatment therapies for
Parkinson’s patients.
Integrated approach to services, including expansion of
home visits to patients with transportation and mobility
challenges.
Dance, yoga and Pilates classes in Philadelphia,
Montgomery and Chester counties.
From 2013 through 2015:
Grow its financial resources and expand our
donor base;
Strengthen our board with specialized expertise
that will enhance our reach in the region and our
leadership depth;
Touch more lives within underserved populations;
Expand our programming to support the
Parkinson’s community more directly; and
Build awareness of the disease and The Council’s
brand as the principal resource to address the
disease in the region.
www.theparkinsoncouncil.org
giving@theparkinsoncouncil.org
OUR WORK AND PRIORITIES IN 2014
Grants by Institution: 2010-2013
11. The Council is committed
to increasing its support
for People with
Parkinson’s by investing in
local institutions and
nonprofits.
JOIN US
Our Priorities: 2014
Fundraising
Grants &
Support
Messaging
& Outreach
Programs &
Services
Our Goal
The Parkinson Council seeks to be the leader in investing funding resources for PD patients, caregivers,
researchers and educators in the Delaware Valley Region.
What Your Support Will Do
Your support ensures that local Parkinson’s patients, their families and caregivers have the needed resources
and tools to promote a high quality of life and exceptional care.
Your support makes it possible for local research institutions to continue their efforts to find the cause of and
a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
Your support is critical in helping us fulfill our vision of “touching a life every day.”
www.theparkinsoncouncil.org
giving@theparkinsoncouncil.org
