Parkinson’s Action Network To Hold First Midwest Regional Patient Conference

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ — The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) announced today that the organization’s first-ever Midwest Regional Conference for Parkinson’s disease patients will be held Saturday, November 11, 2006 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. CT at the Four Points Sheraton Airport Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.


The conference, entitled, “Living with Parkinson’s: How You Can Make a Difference Through Awareness & Advocacy,” is free to the public. The program will provide Parkinson’s patients, family members, caregivers, and physicians in the Midwestern region of the United States with current information about disease research, emerging therapies, and legislation affecting the Parkinson’s landscape.


“This conference presents a unique opportunity for PAN to unite midwestern members of the Parkinson’s community for a day of learning and empowerment,” said Amy Comstock, CEO of PAN. “Our goal is to build upon the success of this first Regional Conference and to offer similar events in other regions of the United States in the near future. Providing individuals affected by Parkinson’s with the tools necessary to spread awareness and become effective advocates is essential to advancing the path to a cure.”


The PAN conference is made possible through funding provided by SCHWARZ PHARMA. Headquartered in Monheim, Germany, SCHWARZ is committed to developing novel medicines in the therapeutic area of neurology, including Parkinson’s disease.


Additional Conference Information


There is no registration fee for the PAN Midwest Regional Conference. However, space is limited, so please RSVP to PAN prior to the event via e- mail, rsvpconference@parkinsonsaction.org or phone, 1-800-850-4726, to secure a spot. Registration and continental breakfast will take place from 8:30 a.m.-9:15 a.m. CT. Lunch will also be provided.


PAN created the Midwest Regional Conference to supplement its annual Washington, D.C.-based Research, Education and Public Policy Forum. The physical and financial limitations of Parkinson’s disease prevent many individuals from attending the larger Forum. The Midwest and other potential future PAN Regional Conferences will provide the same high-quality information about disease research, treatment, awareness and advocacy as the Forum, while offering a more local and more regular meeting with members of the Parkinson’s community.


About Parkinson’s Disease and PAN


Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common degenerative neurological diseases, currently affecting more than one million Americans. Approximately 60,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. Parkinson’s is a devastating progressive neurological disorder that makes it difficult for patients to walk and causes uncontrollable tremors. The disease has no cure, and ultimately robs individuals of the ability to speak or move in its final stages.


Founded in 1991, the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) is the unified education and advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s disease community. Through education and interaction with patients and their families, scientists, lawmakers, opinion leaders, and the public, PAN fights for a cure by increasing awareness about Parkinson’s disease and seeks increased federal support for Parkinson’s research. For more information on the Parkinson’s Action Network, please visit www.parkinsonsaction.org or call 1-800-850-4726.