Riding for Wellness - and so much more.

The Growling Beaver Brevet is an annual fundraiser for Parkinson Canada, an important and ever-expanding resource for Canadians living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.

Founded by cyclists for cyclists, The Growling Beaver Brevet invites participants to ride for wellness while fueling research and raising awareness for Parkinson Canada.

The Growling Beaver Brevet was founded in 2015 by Dede Barry, Michael Barry, Garnet Pratt, Evan Siddall, Jody Wilson, and Laura Wilson, cyclists and members of the Parkinson Canada family from Collingwood, Ontario.

Inspired by Davis and Connie Carpenter Phinney’s “Live Well Today” philosophy, the Growling Beaver Brevet is a social (non-race) ride to celebrate cycling with 250 cyclists riding 40, 60, 100 or 200 km routes through the scenic Beaver Valley at what should be the height of the fall colours. The day features the Beaver Valley and Georgian Bay communities and merchants that have supported cyclists through the summer season.

The routes have been conceived with a mix of tarmac and scenic country gravel roads. In the European "brevet" tradition, every rider will carry a “passport” that is authenticated at checkpoints.

In 2022, the ride raised $358,399.09 for Parkinson Canada.

Learn about this unique ride and the benefits to the Parkinson’s community by watching this video.

Register
Donate

There are only 250 spots for the ride, and there is a $500 fundraising minimum. Save your spot today! Become a participant and help transform the lives of people touched by Parkinson’s by inviting your friends and family to support your journey. You can ride as an individual, join an existing team, or start one of your own.

Your Impact through Parkinson Canada

More than 100,000 Canadians live with Parkinson's, a number expected to increase substantially in the coming years, with 30 Canadians diagnosed each day. 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.

Learn more
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 for information and referral services where they receive free and confidential non-medical support. We also offer more than 120 support groups led by volunteer facilitators in communities across the country.

  • In 2022, the support of the Parkinson Community helped get the Canadian Edition of Every Victory Counts© manual into the hands of Canadians, free of charge. Today, more than 2,000 Canadians have benefited from this resource, filled with essential information to help people with Parkinson’s.
  • Parkinson Canada delivered free webinars nationwide to more than 10,000 people. These webinars cover every topic from cutting-edge Parkinson's research updates, to exercise tips and mental health support.
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.

  • In 2019, Parkinson Canada co-founded the Canadian Open Parkinson Network (C-OPN) with Brain Canada. This network aims to accelerate Parkinson’s research breakthroughs. We have clinical sites across the country, and we will continue expanding to reach additional communities and researchers across Canada. We currently have sites in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, L?vis and Quebec City.
  • This past year, approximately $1.4 million in research grants and awards were given to scientists to support their research and career in finding new treatments and a cure.
Advocacy

Parkinson Canada is committed to raising the voice of people affected by Parkinson’s to advance solutions toward improved care and quality of life. Our community initiatives raise awareness for much needed programs and services for the Parkinson community.

  • Parkinson Canada embarked on an initiative to influence the government to increase the funds transferred to provinces and territories for healthcare. In early 2023, the federal government announced that they would increase funding by $46 billion. Parkinson Canada will ensure that the funds reach the Parkinson’s community, resulting in reduced wait times for treatment and diagnosis.
  • In 2022, Parkinson Canada influenced the government to expedite the Age Well at Home Benefit, which provides support for those wishing to stay in their homes. Bill C-22, which provides financial support to those living with a disability, was approved by the House of Commons and is being debated at the Senate. These benefits will ensure our community is adequately supported.