About Fundraising Your Way
Fundraising Your Way is your opportunity to turn your ideas, passions, and hobbies into a fundraiser to support Parkinson Canada.
Fundraising Your Way
Fundraising Your Way helps you make a difference in the lives of Canadians impacted by Parkinson’s in your own unique way. Everyone has different ideas, hobbies, talents, and passions that can be turned into a fundraiser, and we will provide you with the tools and resources you need to raise awareness and reach your fundraising goals. Your unique fundraiser will support the research being done, the services being offered, and the people being helped every day.
Parkinson Canada
More than 110,000 Canadians live with Parkinson's, a number expected to increase substantially in the coming years. At Parkinson Canada, people with Parkinson's are at the centre of everything we do. Parkinson Canada funds critical research, provides information and support, increases awareness and advocates for improved healthcare outcomes for people with Parkinson's across Canada. With the support of our sponsors, partners and the Parkinson's community, we continue to invest in research dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for all people affected by Parkinson's.
Programs and Services
Parkinson Canada supports Canadians throughout all stages of their Parkinson journey. Every year, Parkinson Canada's programs and services reach nearly 10,000 Canadians living with Parkinson's and their care partners. They connect with our team to receive free and confidential non-medical information and support, and connection to our programs and service opportunities. We currently offer more than 120 support groups led by volunteer facilitators in communities across the country.
- The support of the Parkinson Community helped continue the development of CareFinder, an innovative, user-friendly online directory for Parkinson's informed programs & services. This wonderful resource is designed to provide a tailored listing based on location and search criteria of services, programs and supports in the community such as movement disorder specialists and essential wellness programs.
- Parkinson Canada launched CARE Fund in 2024 which is a program that funds local initiatives that enhance the quality of life for people living with Parkinson's and their care partners. This includes innovative programs addressing exercise, education, and mental health, particularly within underserved and diverse communities across Canada.
- Parkinson Canada launched a free event series, Parkinson's IQ + You, designed to empower people living with Parkinson's and care partners to manage the disease, learn about the latest research, and connect with local resources. The event is designed for people at every stage in their journey with Parkinson's.
- In 2024, Parkinson Canada launched the Support Hub which is an online resource to better connect volunteers and individuals participating in Parkinson Canada Support Groups to share experiences, resources and connect to opportunities within Parkinson Canada.
Research and Innovation
At Parkinson Canada, we bring together researchers to cultivate and support the most leading-edge science. Canada is home to some of the world's leading Parkinson's researchers. Since 1981, we have funded innovative research including discovery-stage science, fellowships for Movement Disorder Specialists, and training the next generation of Parkinson's research leaders. We are proud to have invested in the next generation of researchers and clinicians, many who have continued in the field determined to further our understanding of the disease as well as the care management of people living with Parkinson's.
- This past year, over $1.9 million in research grants and awards were given to scientists to support their research and career in finding new treatments and a cure (our highest funding envelope to date).
- Parkinson Canada is co-hosting the Canadian Movement Disorders Meeting to bring Parkinson's researchers and clinicians from across the country together to discuss the latest advances in Parkinson's research and clinical care.
- Since 2019, Parkinson Canada has co-funded the Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN) with Brain Canada. This network aims to accelerate Parkinson's research breakthroughs.
- In 2024, a new Travel Award Program was launched to help send exceptional researchers, doctors and trainees to globally-recognized Parkinson's Disease conferences to present their work, learn about cutting-edge research and network with international colleagues.
Advocacy
Parkinson Canada believes that living well with Parkinson's is possible. We are committed to raising the voice of people affected by Parkinson's and their care partners to advance solutions toward improved care, supports, and quality of life so all Canadians affected by Parkinson's can live well. We do this by engaging directly with federal, provincial, and territorial governments to raise awareness of the impact Parkinson's has on the lives of Canadians as well as through engagement and collaboration with community partners and like-minded organizations. Our community initiatives raise awareness for much-needed programs and services for the Parkinson community.
- Parkinson Canada is actively engaged in ongoing work toward the development of the Canada Disability Benefit (CDB), including calling for much needed reforms to the Disability Tax Credit as the intended pathway to receiving the new CDB. The Legislation passed in Parliament in June 2023 and Parkinson Canada continues to raise the voice of the Parkinson's community as the details of the benefit are being developed.
- Parkinson Canada recently released a report titled, “The Economic Burden of Parkinson's in Canada“, produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers. The report reveals the true financial scope of Parkinson's in Canada by examining the cost burden of the condition from three perspectives: people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, and the healthcare system to begin a vital conversation about alleviating this impact. This report will be instrumental in our advocacy efforts, helping us to partner with all levels of government to create a better future for people affected by Parkinson’s. You can read the full report and a summary on our campaign landing page and take action by sending a letter to your Member of Parliament in just a few clicks at www.ParkinsonsPriceTage.ca.
- Parkinson Canada is engaging with the Federal Government on the Pharmacare legislation and advocates to ensure that any future development of pharmacare reflects the needs of the Parkinson's community.
- Through advocacy efforts of the Parkinson's community and other stakeholders, a Deep Brain Stimulation clinic was created in Moncton, New Brunswick. This clinic is providing much needed care to the regional Parkinson's community.