Parkinson’s Foundation Donates $50,000 to Piedmont Atlanta Neurosciences Fund
Funds raised as part of 2020 Power Over Parkinson’s Gala in Atlanta
ATLANTA (February 16, 2021) — The Parkinson’s Foundation today announced it has donated $50,000 to the Piedmont Atlanta Neurosciences Fund in honor of Dr. Charlie Harrison and Judy Harrison. The gift was made possible through donations from supporters of the Power Over Parkinson’s Gala, the Foundation’s fundraiser honoring key leaders in Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the Atlanta area.
“In the last five years, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $1.8 million in research, care and education for the Georgia Parkinson’s disease community,” said John L. Lehr, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “We are honored to provide the team at Piedmont Atlanta Neurosciences the additional funding they need to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease.”
The Power Over Parkinson’s Gala was led by honorary chair, Senator Johnny Isaakson and co-chaired by Gordon Beckham, Vice Chair of the Parkinson’s Foundation Board of Directors and Ponder Harrison, member of the Board of Directors. While guests were unable to celebrate together due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the community came together to raise more than $1.3 million for Parkinson’s research, care and resources.
"As Piedmont Neurosciences continues to grow its comprehensive program, the care of our Parkinson's patients will be an integral part of this comprehensive initiative,” said Charles L. Brown III, MD, FACC, FSCAI, CEO, The Physician Enterprise at Piedmont Healthcare. “This generous gift will be instrumental in supporting the patient centered care these patients need. It will allow us to make a positive difference in the lives we touch within our Parkinson's community."
The Piedmont Atlanta Neurosciences Fund supports the top priorities of Piedmont Atlanta Neuroscience’s programs, including support for people with Parkinson’s disease. The gift was made in honor of Dr. Charlie Harrison and Judy Harrison. Dr. Charlie Harrison’s son, Ponder Harrison, serves on the Board of Directors of the Parkinson’s Foundation. Dr. Harrison served as the Atlanta Falcons' physician for 42 years and worked at Piedmont Hospital as an Internal Medicine Specialist for 45 years.
"My family, including my wife Judy and father Charlie, are thrilled to have partnered with the Parkinson’s Foundation to provide this grant to Piedmont Hospital and further support people with Parkinson's in Georgia,” said Ponder Harrison, member of the Parkinson’s Foundation Board of Directors. “Knowing that this gift will advance an institution where my father spent his career helping others means so much."
Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $368 million in Parkinson’s disease (PD) research and clinical care. In the last 10 years, the Foundation has funded 584 researchers through its research grants program, including $4.2 million invested in research in 2020. For more information about Parkinson’s Foundation research programs visit Parkinson.org/Research or call the Parkinson’ Foundation free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).
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About the Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $400 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on Parkinson.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone.