Parkinson’s Awareness Month: Advancing Understanding and Support

Every April, communities around the world come together to observe Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD), honor those living with the condition, and promote efforts to find a cure. Parkinson’s is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination, and it impacts more than 10 million people globally.

This awareness month encourages individuals, caregivers, and health advocates to learn more about the condition, raise funds for research, and support those navigating life with Parkinson’s.

The theme for Parkinson’s Awareness Month 2025 is “Raise Your Voice for Parkinson’s”, focusing on reducing stigma, promoting community engagement, and empowering people with Parkinson’s to advocate for better care and understanding.

Three Facts:

1. Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, second only to Alzheimer’s, and affects approximately 90,000 new people in the U.S. each year.
2. Early symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement, but can also include non-motor symptoms such as loss of smell, sleep disturbances, and depression.
3. Although there is no cure, medications like levodopa and advanced therapies like deep brain stimulation (DBS) can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

How You Can Participate in Parkinson’s Awareness Month:

1. Educate Yourself and Others: Share resources and facts about Parkinson’s disease with your community using the hashtag #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth to spread awareness online.
2. Support Research and Advocacy: Participate in fundraising events like Parkinson’s walks or donate to organizations funding research for a cure.
3. Engage Locally: Attend support group meetings, webinars, or educational events to connect with others affected by Parkinson’s disease and help amplify their voices.

Three Resources:

1. Parkinson’s Foundation – Learn more about PD, find support programs, and explore clinical trials.
2. Michael J. Fox Foundation – A leading organization funding Parkinson’s research and therapy development.
3. Davis Phinney Foundation – Tools and events to improve quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.

This April, let’s come together to support individuals living with Parkinson’s and work toward a future without the disease. By raising awareness, empowering advocates, and advancing research, we can make strides in improving lives and finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Together, we can make a difference.