Vision & Mission

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) 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.

Background

The Parkinson’s Foundation was formed by the merger of the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF), both established in 1957, with offices in New York and Miami. In June 2017, the Foundation marked the 200th anniversary of the publication of, “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy,” by James Parkinson and the 60th anniversary of the Parkinson’s Foundation. View our Board of Directors and Leadership.

“Parkinson’s Foundation investments have played a part in many of the major scientific advances of the past 60 years, improving lives worldwide. Yet there are 10 million people living with Parkinson’s disease who urgently need better treatments and care. We mark our anniversary by reflecting on key successes and recommitting ourselves to creating a world without Parkinson’s disease.”
– John L. Lehr, Parkinson’s Foundation President & CEO

Our Promise

The challenges of living with Parkinson’s disease, improving care and finding a cure can seem overwhelming. No individual or group can do it alone.

We are the Parkinson’s Foundation. A community. An alliance. A movement. Where people living with Parkinson’s, families, caregivers, scientists, advocates, donors and volunteers join forces to improve lives and advance toward a cure.

For over half a century, we’ve made tangible progress on all fronts, from the largest clinical study of Parkinson’s, which has significantly improved care, to breakthrough treatments. Today, we continue to:

• Provide life-changing support to people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers
• Fund game-changing research on treatment and care
• Convene the best minds from every corner of the global Parkinson’s community to find new approaches that enhance care and move us closer to a cure.

Everything we do is based on experience and informed by facts. The people we serve deserve nothing less than the highest level of support based on validated research and deep encouragement grounded in reality. Our donors and volunteers need to know that we are 100% accountable. This is why we focus on verifiable outcomes, not vague promises.

In partnership with the entire Parkinson’s community, we are making a real difference in people’s lives. And we have the research, the data — and the stories — to prove it. This is what happens when we all pull together as one global, determined and inspired movement. Better Lives. Together.

Our Values

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Parkinson’s Foundation is committed to removing barriers to care, making research inclusive, and ensuring that information and resources are accessible to every person living with Parkinson's. We believe that everyone should have a fair opportunity to live a high-quality, long life with PD, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, or geographic location.

The Foundation’s goal is to reach people with PD from populations of focus that have been adversely affected by health disparities, causing them to systemically experience decreased access to educational resources, care and research opportunities due to social, economic and environmental disadvantages. In partnership with populations of focus, the Foundation is intentionally building on this commitment as an organization and a community so that all people with PD and their families have what they need to manage the disease and live the best quality of life.

The actions we take to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion will always be in partnership with people with Parkinson's, their care partners, and the broader PD community we are privileged to serve. We know that there is more that we can do to address these barriers as a Foundation and as a community and will share these actions as we move forward. Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

About the P Symbol

The Parkinson’s Foundation logo in the shape of an uppercase letter “P”, not only stands for Parkinson’s—it also suggests a speech bubble reflecting the many voices in the global Parkinson’s community that contribute to our mission.

Awards