The Time is Now - Let's Push for Proclamations! 

April is coming quickly and that means Parkinson's Awareness Month!

With approximately 17,000 Coloradans living with Parkinson's, we ask that you, your friends and family help spread the word this coming month on what Parkinson's is. 

The disease is more than just a tremor.  The funding of Parkinson's research, the availability of related programs and services, and the passage of rules and regulations related to the treatment of Parkinson's is reliant on creating awareness within our local communities. When we increase awareness of our Parkinson's community, we are better able to empower and improve the lives of all impacted by this disease.

Join us in taking one simple step to start the conversation in your local community and raise awareness and understanding of Parkinson's disease.  Our community wants to make a push for Proclamations, and you can help!
  • Ask your local mayor or city council to declare April to be Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month.
  • Follow up by attending the city council meeting where the proclamation is presented (bring your family, friends and neighbors).
It's easy!

Click here for a Proclamation template and  instructions  on how to request a proclamation.

We had 10 proclamations last year - including the State of Colorado! Let's be proactive and beat that number this year!
Our goal for 2019 is to increase Colorado awareness:
  • A minimum of 15 cities issue proclamations
  • At least 200 people attend proclamation signings
Let's make this year's Parkinson's Awareness Month our biggest impact ever!

In This Issue
Proclamations
Educational Events
The Sweet Caroline Tour
Exercise Class Updates
Support Group Updates
Play Fore PAR
Parkinson's 101
Community Fundraisers
Parkinson's in the News
Community Events

Quick Links

Find a Support Group 

Find a Neurologist 


Donate Today!

Upcoming Parkinson Association Events
Click the date for more information and to register. Registration is REQUIRED. 
 
Saturday, March 9: Chat with the Parkinson's Pros: Medications for PD - Cheyenne, 10:00am - noon

Friday, March 22: Ahead of the Curve: Diet and Nutrition - Thornton, 2:00 - 4:00pm

The Sweet Caroline World Tour arriving in Cheyenne
Saturday, March 30 | 7:30pm
Cheyenne Civic Center | 510 W. 20th St., Cheyenne

The Parkinson Association of the Rockies, together with Heartlight Entertainment is excited to announce that the Neil Diamond-inspired Sweet Caroline Tour will be arriving in Wyoming for a concert performance on Saturday, March 30. 

Reserved Seats ($48/68) for the 2-Hour Neil Diamond Concert Celebration are available at the Cheyenne Civic Center Box Office, contact (307) 637-6363 or click here

A limited number of VIP packages are available ($78 per) and include Premium seats, backstage passes for a Meet & Greet with Jay White and Neil Diamond Band Members and early admission for Soundcheck. 
 
The Sweet Caroline World Tour was created in response to Neil Diamond's retirement from the stage due to his Parkinson's diagnosis announced in early 2018. It's stated two-year mission is to raise awareness and $5 million dollars to support Parkinson's organizations worldwide. This one-of-a-kind benefit concert stars the #1 Neil Diamond performer in the world - Jay White - and features a 12 piece musical ensemble that includes two Neil Diamond Band members - legendary percussionist/conga player King Errisson and orchestrator/keyboardist Mark Levang.  
 
Proceeds from the Cheyenne event will go to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies to help support local programs and services. For marketing opportunities, please contact Karen

Parkinson Association Exercise Class Updates 
 
Mark your calendars instructors! The Parkinson Association will be holding a summit for all of our exercise instructors on Sunday, March 24 at the Employers Council 1799 Pennsylvania St., Denver. For more information or to RSVP. For more information or to RSVP, email Elena.

REMINDERS: 
As a reminder to all who enjoy our exercise classes - we offer classes without a fee! Classes have moved from a fee-based system to a 'Pay It Forward' system. We are able to provide the classes through the use of donations we receive from the generosity of our community. Donate now!
 
Registration is required for ALL classes and space is limited! Please show up a little before the start time of the class to get prepared. A medical consent form and participant waiver is required for all participants to sign and return to the Parkinson Association. For more info or to register call  (303) 830-1839 or  email.   

Parkinson Association Support Group Updates 

New - Thornton Support Group
Meetings will be held the fourth Friday of the month at 2:00pm in the Ambassador Community Room at the Villas at Sunny Acres, 2501 E. 104th Ave.

New - Lakewood Support Group
Meetings will be held the first Tuesday of the month at 1:00pm at the Village at Belmar, 7825 W. Alameda Ave.

Tele-Support Group for Care Partners
The Tele-supports for Careers of Neurological Disorders (TeCNeD) is a support group for carepartners of patients with neurological disorders. Meetings will be conducted using Zoom - all you need is internet access and a phone or computer! Meetings will be held the third Monday of the month at 7:00pm. For more information, please email the leader, Malenna.

Support Group Leader Summit
The Spring Support Group Leader Summit will be held on Saturday, March 16 at St. Andrews Village, 13801 E. Yale Ave., Aurora To RSVP  or for more information, email Elena.

Play Fore PAR - Golfing Event
Join us on Monday, July 8 at the Valley Country Clu b for the 20th Annual Golf Classic previously hosted by CNI.  We are  honored to continue this golf tournament as Play Fore PAR (Parkinson Association of the Rockies) to benefit the Colorado Parkinson's community. 

Single Player : $300 | Foursome: $1,200  

Earlybird registration:  $250/Player (Deadline is May 8th)

For More Information or to Sponsor: call (303) 830-1839 or email Karen

More information to come soon! 
Introducing: Parkinson's 101 for Newly Diagnosed

The Parkinson Association of the Rockies is offering a free, three-part educational module for the recently diagnosed Parkinson's community. This curriculum will help newly-diagnosed people with Parkinson's and their care partners navigate their journey with Parkinson's while introducing the resources available in Colorado. Click the titles of the sessions for more information. 

Part One: Parkinson's Basics

Wednesday, April 17

6:00 - 8:00pm 


 

Part Two: Treatments and Medications

Wednesday, May 15

6:00 - 7:30pm


 

Part Three: Introduction to PD SELF

Wednesday, June 12

6:00 - 7:30pm

 

Classes will be held at the Parkinson Association of the Rockies office, 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 204B, Denver. Option to tele-conference is available. 


For more information or to register, please contact (303) 830-1839 or email Elena. 

Upcoming Community Fundraisers

Painting for Parkinson's
April 6 | 1:00 - 3:00pm | $30/Person
Broomfield Senior Center, Lakeshore Room | 280 Spader Way, Broomfield
For more information or to register click here

Poker for Parkinson's
April 13 | 1:00pm | $50/Person
Reeds Southside Tavern and Indoor Golf | 9535 Park Meadows Dr, Lone Tree
For more information or to register click  here.

Pancakes for Parkinson's
April 28 | 7:30 - 9:30am | $10/Person
Applebee's Grill + Bar | 495 Garden of the Gods Rd, Colorado Springs
Register by email or call (704) 454-8913.

Breaking par for PAR
July 20 | 8:30am Shotgun Start | $150/player 
($125/player early-bird pricing ends June 1)
Walnut Creek Golf Preserve | 10555 Westmoor Dr., Westminster
Registration will open next week!

Redneck Ride for Parkinson's
August 25 | $30 Suggested Donation
Foothills of Larimer County
Registration will open next week! 

Ride for PD
Show your support for Steve Martin's bike ride through the Rocky Mountains.  Starting from the New Mexico border on September 1 and entering Wyoming on September 7, Steve and his crew will be tackling four Rocky Mountain passes, and crossing the Great Divide twice! Donate online here

Things I Wish I Knew Project

Our evening  Cherry Hills Village Support Group is emba rking on a project with the Parkinson Association, and we'd like to enlist your participation! We want you to share with others the  things you wish you knew when you were diagnosed.

We often hear that much of the best information we've learned along the Parkinson's journey is from fellow travelers on the path. Unfortunately, the information often gets to us later than it might have been useful.  So, we are attempting to gather, compile and share our collective wisdom up front so it is available as soon as possible.

Will you help? If so, please share and click here to share your insight! 

Parkinson's in the News
Community Events  

A clinical study for adults with recently diagnosed Parkinson's.
Currently a very small number of biological tests are available for  early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, and these are not informative for  all types of the disease.  By finding nicroRNA markers with higher levels in Parkinson's patients,  we may be able to diagnose this disease at an earlier stage and also  improve our understanding of the disease. B y discovering new markers and earlier diagnosis of  Parkinson's disease, the quality of life of patients can be improved.  The study is currently looking for participants recently diagnosed with Parkinson's . As a small compensation for your participation, each participant will receive $25. For more information or to schedule your participation, visit the study website and complete a contact form here.

Research Study at Regis University:
Assessing a High Intensity Balance Program in People with Parkinson's
Marcia Smith is putting together a balance study research project to assess the effects of a high intensity balance program on balance in people with Parkinson's who are over 50 years old.  The study hopes to assess whether this intervention makes a difference in a person's balance while standing or walking, if it affects their fear of falling or ability to do tasks they find difficult because of balance, and if there are any changes in their quality of life. For more information or to participate in the study please contact (303) 478-2523 or email Dr. Marcia Smith.

Self Care for Caregivers: Journal Series
March 16, April 20 and May 18 | 1:00 - 2:00pm
Schlessman Family Branch Library | 100 Poplar Street in Lowry

Join the Schlessman Family Branch Library for a caregiver journaling series to learn techniques to cope with the rewarding, but often overwhelming, job of caring for a loved one. In this class you will be instructed in Journal to the Self® writing techniques and learn other creative tools for self-care. You'll benefit from the company of other caregivers and come away empowered with new ways to approach caring for your loved one while finding ways to take care of yourself in the process. For more information or to sign up, call the library at (7 20) 865-0000.

Cultivating Personal Respite: Free Self-Care Workshop Series
Every 3rd Thursday of the Month | 10:00 - 11:30am
Seniors' Resource Center | 3227 Chase St., Wheat Ridge

These workshops, sponsored by Colorado Respite Coalition and Easter Seals, are for anyone caring for a loved one. Join Lori Ramos Lemasters, founder of CarePartnersResource, for this series to learn techniques to help you cope with the rewarding, but often overwhelming job of caring for a loved one. In this class you will be taught Journal to the Self® writing techniques and learn other creative tools for self-care. To RSVP or for more info, email Lori or call (303) 903-5900.

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