PARKINSON RESEARCH FOUNDATION (PRF) Develops New Patient Outreach Program

One of the principal missions of the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) that distinguishes it from other Parkinson organizations is PRF’s focus on patient education; specifically education that enables Parkinson patients and their caregivers to live fuller and more comfortable lives with Parkinson's disease.

The Foundation’s educational events, including educational cruises, gather leading Parkinson experts, therapists and nutritionists from across the country to offer life-changing tools and knowledge for individuals affected by Parkinson's disease.

“Most people who attend our events learn about them through our mailings or our website,” said PRF Executive Director Brian Curro, “we wanted to figure out a way to expand our reach and talk to the patients directly.”

Curro said PRF is embarking on a new patient outreach strategy. On April 19th, 2011, PRF representatives visited a local support group to inform Parkinson patients about the foundation’s free educational programs, including PRF’s hallmark educational cruise program.

“We gave a presentation to patients that made them aware of all there is to gain from attending PRF’s free programs: the unrivaled access to Parkinson experts, the interactive therapy sessions designed to improve daily life, the camaraderie enjoyed by connecting with other Parkinson’s patients worldwide,” Curro said.

PRF is expanding the new patient outreach strategy by scheduling visits to over 100 support groups in Florida. The immediate objective is to inform patients of PRF’s upcoming educational cruise: a 1950’s-themed cruise to the western Caribbean on January 8th –15th 2012. On January 8th, participants will set sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and embark on a seven-night adventure through the Western Caribbean.

PRF’s cruises feature prominent Parkinson researchers and movement disorder specialists in order to offer participants unique perspectives on different aspects of the disease. The cruise faculty actively participates in panel discussions and interacts with the patients at sea. Patients attend lectures and enjoy interactive sessions like dance, voice aerobics, nutrition and mobility. Patients learn practical strategies to improve their daily lives in a meaningful way.
To support PRF’s patient education efforts, or to learn more about future PRF learning opportunities, including the upcoming educational cruise, please visit PRF online at www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org or by phone at (941) 870-4438.

The Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) is a nonprofit health organization providing Parkinson’s patients with access to research, education, information and advocacy. PRF distinguishes itself from other Parkinson organizations by focusing on education and awareness, not only for patients, but also for their families and caregivers. PRF explores a variety of issues affecting the care and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, with a goal of bringing new advances in treatment to the forefront, making this knowledge available through seminars and conferences. The money raised by PRF funds research, information programs, and advocacy/awareness efforts that will support the over one million people with Parkinson's disease in communities across America.

For more information, please visit the PRF website at: www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org

Parkinson Research Foundation
Brian Curro
8586 Potter Park Dr.
Sarasota,FL 34238

phone 941-870-4438

This release was published on openPR.