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-- WITH PHOTO -- TO HEALTH, MEDICAL, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Parkinson's Disease Foundation Calls Upon Research Professionals to
Engage Patient Advocates in Speeding Drug Development
NEW YORK, March 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Parkinson's
Disease Foundation@ (PDF@) invites research professionals within
industry, academia and government, to partner with its trained patient
advocates to bring about better treatments for Parkinson's disease.
This week, PDF welcomes new members to its national network, which
now includes more than 230 Research Advocates whose insights are
critical to speeding drug development.
In the past five years, more than 400 research professionals have
engaged PDF Research Advocates in setting research priorities,
designing clinical trials and increasing study enrollment. These
partnerships have led to, among other outcomes, 700 people enrolling
in clinical studies to advance Parkinson's disease science.
This week, more than 30 people with Parkinson's disease and care
partners are undergoing training to join the network.
"I urge my colleagues in the field of Parkinson's disease research to
work with these unique individuals. It is incredibly effective," said
Claire Henchcliffe, M.D., D.Phil., faculty member for the program,
Director of the PDF Research Center at Weill Cornell Medical College,
and associate professor of neurology and neuroscience in the Feil
Family Brain and Mind Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medical
College in New York, NY. "In my experience, PDF Research Advocates
can enhance our work by bringing an understanding of what it means to
live with Parkinson's disease."
Linda M. Morgan, M.B.A., R.Ph., a PDF Research Advocate from
Asheville, NC, who also serves as a faculty member for the program,
added, "The community is increasingly recognizing the importance of
the patient's voice. We want research professionals to know that,
thanks to PDF's training and support, we are ready to hit the ground
running to improve trials and solve Parkinson's disease."
PDF invites research professionals in the field of Parkinson's disease
to contact us for information on partnering with PDF Research
Advocates by calling (800) 457-6676, emailing info@pdf.org or visiting
www.pdf.org/pair.
PDF invites people with Parkinson's disease and their loved ones to
get involved by completing its free Parkinson's Advocates in Research
online course at www.pdf.org/paironline.
About Parkinson's Disease Parkinson's disease is a progressive
neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the
US. Although promising research is being conducted, there is
currently no cure for Parkinson's disease.
About Parkinson's Advocates in Research As a signature program of
PDF, Parkinson's Advocates in Research (PAIR) is bringing together the
people who live with Parkinson's disease and the people who are
developing new therapies with one goal: better treatments at a faster
pace. Through in-person trainings and an online course, the PAIR
program provides people touched by Parkinson's disease with the skills
needed to pair up with scientists and health professionals. By
collaborating with research institutions, the PAIR program facilitates
partnerships between Research Advocates and professionals at the
frontlines of research. The cornerstone of the program is a national
network of more than 230 Research Advocates from 42 states who speed
drug development, increase trial participation and inform the
Parkinson's disease community about research. Learn more
at www.pdf.org/pair.
About Parkinson's Disease Foundation@ The Parkinson's Disease
Foundation@ (PDF@) is a leading national presence in Parkinson's
disease research, education and public advocacy. PDF is working for
the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson's
disease by funding promising scientific research while supporting
people living with Parkinson's through educational programs and
services. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $100
million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world
and over $42 million to support national education and advocacy
programs.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111101/DC97663LOGO
SOURCE Parkinson's Disease Foundation
-0- 03/07/2014
/CONTACT: Melissa Barry, Director of Communications, (212) 923-4700 /mbarry@pdf.org
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111101/DC97663LOGO
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.pdf.org
CO: Parkinson's Disease Foundation
ST: New York
IN: HEA
SU: JVN SVY
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0000 03/07/2014 18:16:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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