The Time is Now! 
Act Now! April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month.

While those of us in the Parkinson's community may be aware that April is Parkinson's Disease  Awareness Month, most Coloradoans are unaware of the 17,000 Coloradoans living with Parkinson's  and the significant impact it has on our community. 

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.  The Parkinson Association of the Rockies wants to make a push for Proclamations! You can help to  engage your community in conversation, awareness and understanding of this disease. Act now by  asking 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). Taking action is easy!

Click here for a Proclamation template and instructions on how to request a proclamation. Be proactive  and help reach our goals for Colorado awareness:
  • A minimum of 15 cities issue proclamations
  • At least 200 people attend proclamation signings
The definition of awareness is to create knowledge of a situation or fact. By increasing awareness of our  Parkinson's community, we are better able to empower and improve the lives of all impacted by this  disease. We hope you join us in this simple step to start the conversation in your community.

Advocacy Doesn't Need to End in April 
Be a part of our Advocacy Committee. For more information, email Jodi Brown .
In This Issue
Advocate!
Upcoming Educational Programs
Colorado Community Conference
Exercise Class Updates
Support Group Updates
Show Your Support!
Vitality Walk
Parkinson's in the News
Community Events

Quick Links

Find a Support Group 

Find a Neurologist 


Donate Today!
Support the programs of the Parkinson Association:
 
A $50 donation will fund an exercise class; Exercise is a key component to living well with Parkinson's.

Donate Today!
Upcoming Parkinson Association Events 
Click the date for more information. 

Friday, April 6:  Webinar - Medications Overview

Wednesday, April 11:  Littleton Ahead of the Curve - Palliative Care

Saturday, April 14:  Chat with the Parkinson's Pros - Cheyenne
SAVE THE DATE! 
Colorado Community Conference
Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
13200 E. 14th Pl., Aurora

The 3rd annual Colorado Community Conference will bring together individuals with Parkinson's, their care partners and family members, as well as professionals who work with the Parkinson's community to provide them with updates on the latest research on Parkinson's, medications and medical devices.

Interested in Sponsoring? 
Contact Kari Buchanan by  email or call (303) 830-1839. 
Parkinson Association Exercise Updates

New Power Punch Parkinson's Class in Longmont!
A new Power Punch Parkinson's class will be starting in Longmont on Monday, March 19th at 2:00pm at the  Ed & Ruth Lehman YMCA, 950 Lashley St., Longmont.

New PWR! Moves Class in Durango! 
We have a new PWR! Moves class in Durango held on Wednesdays at 11:00am at the  Durango Recreation Center, Twilight Room,  2700 Main Ave., Durango

REMINDERS: 
As a reminder to all who enjoy our exercise classes, we will now be offering 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. 
 
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 doctor waiver is required for all participants to have signed and returned to the Parkinson Association. Click  here for waiver. For more info or to register call (303) 830-1839 or  email.  
Parkinson Association Support Group Updates

New Parkinson's Dementia & Lewy Body Dementia Support Group
A new support group has started on the 3rd Thursday of the month at  6:00pm, located at the  Ross University Hills Library,  2nd floor small conference room,  4310 E. Amherst Ave., Denver. 

Location Change for Greeley Support Group
The  Greeley support group has moved to the FMS Bank, lower level, 2425 35th Ave. The group will continue to meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at 10:00am. 

Sunday, March 18 | Jefferson County's NAAC Stadium in Golden 
Join this event to help raise awareness of Parkinson's and don't forget, when registering, to make an additional contribution to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies. The race coordinator, All-Out Multicourse Productions, will match every additional contribution made! 

Click  here  for more information and to register. Unable to attend, but would still like to contribute? Click  here  to donate. 

Pickleball for Parkinson's
Saturday, April 7 | 6:30 -9:30pm
Meadow Creek Tennis Club | 6305 W. 6th Ave., Denver
Save the date and join the Parkinson Association for Pickleball for Parkinson's - King & Queen of the Courts! A $20 entry fee qualifies you for a chance to win a drawing prize. All proceeds benefit the Parkinson Association. The event will be structured for all levels of play.  Make sure to purchase a pickleball paddle key chains to raise money for the Parkinson Association of the Rockies to help reach the $2,00 fundraising goal! Purchase your key chain  now!  For more information, call (619) 279-1091. 

3rd Annual Punch-a-Thon
Saturday, April 28 |  Noon - 2:00pm 
Title Boxing Club, 4360 S. College Ave., Fort Collins
Give Parkinson's a jab while you raise pledges and donations based on the number of non-contact rounds you complete. Those participating can expect to work through up to 22, three-minute boxing rounds. Cost to participate is $20/boxer. For more information, call (303) 830-1839.             

Poker for Parkinson's 
Saturday, May 19 |1:00pm - 3:30pm
Swingers Sports Lounge, 9535 Park Meadows Dr., Lone Tree
     
Join the Parkinson Association of the Rockies and the Kings Court Players Club for a Parkinson's charity poker event. Proceeds will benefit the programs and services provided by the Parkinson Association of the Rockies.
SAVE THE DATE! 16th Annual Vitality Walk
Wash Park | Sandstone Ranch | Choose to Snooze

On Sunday, June 3rd join the Parkinson Association for the 16th Annual Vitality Walk at Wash Park in Denver or  Sandstone Ranch in Longmont - or Choose to Snooze!

This year marks our Sweet 16
th Annual Vitality Walk and our goal is to have more than 1,600 individuals participate in promoting community awareness about Parkinson's and raise over $250,000 to support our programs and services. 

Committee Members Needed! We're looking to grown the Vitality Walk Committee and specifically needing help with marketing the event, communicating with and coordinating event-day volunteers, supporting logistics and planning for the Longmont site. Time commitments include: participating in bi-monthly calls/meetings, approximately 2-4 hours/week during time that coordinates for your schedule and being onsite for the event on Sunday, June 3. Please email Kari if you're interested and want more information.  
 
Interested in Sponsoring? Contact Kari Buchanan at  (303) 830-1839 or  email  for more information.
Parkinson's in the News
Community Events

Caregiving: How Can We Be Proactive?
Thursday, March 8 | 9:00 - 11:30am
Cherry Creek Retirement Village,  14555 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora
Choosing to be proactive enhances our experience of caregiving. Join
Jane W. Barton, MTS, MASM, CSA  for breakfast and a lively discussion about how we can be proactive regarding; health, housing, community and support. For more information or to RSVP email

St. Paddy's Day Bash
Thursday, March 8 | 1:00 - 2:00pm 
2222 S. Fraser St., Unit 2, Aurora
Join Good Vibrations for a St. Paddy's Day bash full of food, games and Irish song sing-alongs!  For more information or to RSVP, call Rebekah at (303) 817-1531

Recently Diagnosed Parkinson's Small Group Educational Session
2nd Thursday of Every Other Month (Started February 8) | 1:00 - 4:00pm
UCH Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 1635 Aurora Ct., Aurora, Department of Neurosciences, 4th floor conference room
If you have been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, we invite you and your support partner to join an  educational session at the University of Colorado Hospital Movement Disorder Center. It will be facilitated by a Parkinson's specialist as well as a person living well with Parkinson's. For more information or to register, click here or call (720) 848-2195. 

Advanced Treatment Options Small Group Educational Session
2nd Thursday of Every Other Month (Starting March 8) | 1:00 - 4:00pm
UCH Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 1635 Aurora Ct., Aurora, Department of Neurosciences, 4th floor conference room
If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and you are interested in learning more about new or advanced treatment options, we invite you and your support partner to join a presentation with u p to date information and handouts about current treatment options and research. For more information or to register, click here or call  (720) 848-8761.

Pedaling 4 Parkinson's
Saturday, June 16
Sweetwater Park, 8300-1/2 Sweet Water Rd., Lone Tree
Pedaling 4 Parkinson's draws hundreds each year to join the fight against Parkinson's disease. This year they will be starting and ending at Sweetwater Park in Lone Tree. Riders can choose from three routes - 60-Mile, 40-Mile and 10-Mile. All money raised from riders will be donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research . For more information or to register, click here
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