Pedaling for Parkinson's is an annual fundraiser for Parkinson Canada, an important and ever-expanding resource for Canadians living with Parkinson's disease and their care partners.
Founded by Canadians for Canadians, Pedaling for Parkinson’s invites cyclists to ride towards progress by funding research and raising awareness for Parkinson Canada. Since its inception in 2011, Pedaling for Parkinson’s has funded 20 research projects through more than $1.9 million in contributions to Parkinson Canada.
The Pedaling for Parkinson’s community donations fuel the Parkinson Canada National Research Program, which has invested more than $31 million in funding since 1981. We fund researchers like Dr. Naomi Visanji, who holds an appointment at both the University of Toronto Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and the Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson’s Disease at Toronto Western Hospital.
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.
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 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, and Quebec City. In 2022 we will open our 9th site, le Centre de Recherche Saint Louis Neuro Lévis, in Levi, Quebec.
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.
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.
