National Resources
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the approximately one million with PD in the United States live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder.
Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $226 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease.
To join us in the fight against PD and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through our network of Chapters and Information & Referral (I&R) Centers, as well as our national Research Program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit us at www.apdaparkinson.org.
Davis Phinney is an Olympic Bronze medalist and Tour de France stage winner who has celebrated the most victories of any cyclist in American history. From the late 1970s until his retirement from professional cycling in 1993, Davis achieved more wins—328 victories in all—than any other U.S. cyclist.
In 2000, after years of feeling not quite right, and an almost endless round of tests, Davis was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD). Finally, the years of battling constant fatigue, the mental fogginess, the muscle cramping, and bouts of sudden numbing weakness had a name.
Realizing early on that he could take action to feel healthy and strong despite his Parkinson’s, Davis started the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s to promote and fund innovative research that seeks to improve the quality of life of those living with Parkinson’s. Since then, the Foundation has expanded far beyond research to become a leading source for education and resources to help people with Parkinson’s take action to live well today.
Annually, the Foundation reaches more than 500,000 individuals and families through online resources, events, community engagement, and more.
Since our Foundation's inception, we have operated with one single-minded goal: putting ourselves out of business by finding the cure for Parkinson's. Driven by this admittedly unusual approach, we have designed a milestone-driven, innovative and high-risk model to identify and accelerate those ideas with the greatest potential to solve field-wide problems, accelerate the pace of research and make a tangible impact on patients’ unmet needs. Everything we do is in service of our mission to eradicate Parkinson's altogether.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF) agenda is focused on building improved knowledge about the lived experience of Parkinson's disease, finding an objective test for Parkinson’s, engaging patients in research and supporting the development of new treatments and a cure.
We’re the Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance, “PMD Alliance” for short — an independent, national nonprofit dedicated to providing opportunities for people to learn, live more fully and spark meaningful connections around them. More than 40 million Americans are affected by movement disorders. It’s a challenging reality — one we cannot face alone. That’s why we play differently.
PMD Alliance reaches across all communities and partners, including our sister organizations. Yes, in a world where genuine collaboration can be tough to find, we treasure it! Our journey is a team sport.
We’re always people-oriented. Whether it’s those living with a diagnosis, their care partners, adult children or support group leaders, we meet the needs of those we serve by providing solutions that fundamentally enlighten, inform and incite positive change.