A Message from Joyce Gordon

Joyce Gordon
CEO, Parkinson Canada

Donors and volunteers make progress possible

This is my fourteenth year leading Parkinson Canada, and as its CEO, I’ve never felt more grateful for supporters like you.

When I started, there was limited research into Parkinson’s disease and it was rarely spoken about in the community.

Today, researchers are making advances, and new medications and therapies are more readily available. Life-changing information, services and support for people affected by Parkinson’s is all possible because of the generosity of volunteers and donors.

Parkinson’s is personal for me. Several members of my family and close friends are living with Parkinson’s. They’ve shared with me that their worlds were turned upside down by the disease—that they didn’t know what to expect or where to turn.

That’s where supportive donors come in. You see, we rely on the generosity of donors like you for over 95% of our funding. Your support is vital and can change the future for people living with Parkinson’s and their families.

Most people facing Parkinson’s feel scared, and uncertain about the future, especially when they are newly diagnosed. We are here to provide empowering information and resources in the anxious times before and after diagnosis. And, as the journey progresses, we provide continued support, and opportunities to share experiences with others, to learn and to connect. And we provide evidence-based resources and online training to the health professionals on a person’s care team.

Donor support is the bridge between Parkinson Canada and the people who need us most.

I’m continuously inspired by people who are living with Parkinson’s. I sincerely admire their positivity and optimism—they’re certain that a cure for Parkinson’s is not far away. And, thanks to you, they have reason to be hopeful.

Donor generosity means we can continue to invest in the most innovative research and ensure we have the resources to provide support so that no one in Canada will face the many challenges of Parkinson’s alone.

Having family members living with Parkinson’s makes it personal for me.

As more and more people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, most of us know someone living with the trials it brings. I’m no exception. In my own family, several people have Parkinson’s. Each one is living life to the fullest, the best they can. I must admit, it’s very hard to witness the progressive changes that make their daily lives increasingly difficult.

Every day brings us one step closer to a cure and to better treatments. People living with Parkinson’s—like my family members and perhaps you or a member of your family—can live life to the fullest, no matter what.

Every day I come to work, inspired to keep moving towards a cure; improve services and support across Canada; advocate for funding and increased community awareness; and ensure that every Canadian affected by Parkinson’s has the quality of life they deserve.

Thank you for being a loyal newsletter subscriber and an important member of our caring Parkinson Canada family.

With sincere thanks,

Joyce Gordon
Chief Executive Officer
Parkinson Canada

PS:
Please visit our website for more information on our research programs, webinar series, events near you, ways to get involved and ways to support our mission through a donation; at www.parkinson.ca