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— Parkinson’s Foundation Disperses over 2.2 Million in Funds for
Parkinson’s Related Community Programs Countrywide —
(Easton, PA, September 22, 2021) The Gray Strong Foundation was recently awarded a community grant for $16,000 from well-known Parkinson’s research advocate, the Parkinson’s Foundation. This community grant will support local health, wellness and educational programs that address unmet needs in the Parkinson’s diseases (PD) community in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.
The Parkinson’s Foundation awarded over $2.2 million in community grants to support programs that provide services for diverse and underserved populations, initiatives that reach the newly diagnosed and programs that address mental health. Gray Strong Foundation’s mission is to spread awareness and support to the Parkinson’s community and their loved ones. Funding from the Parkinson’s Foundation will allow the Lehigh Valley based non-profit, the ability to implement programs and provide resources such as monthly Moving Forward with Parkinson’s Lecture Series, Trembling EMT podcasts, support groups and newsletters as well as annual fundraising events.
Eric Aquino and the Gray Strong team will execute much-needed programs to the surrounding Parkinson’s community, filling the gap and lack of current resources via the following initiatives:
- Moving Forward with Parkinson’s Lecture Series – A monthly webinar (via Zoom https://bit.ly/
GSParkinsonsSeries) with featured guests discussing mental health and on-trend topics in the Parkinson’s Community. Occurs the fourth Thursday of every month. Visit Graystrong,org for guest lineup
- Trembling EMT Podcast, My Parkinson’s Journey – A podcast and blog following Eric Aquino’s journey with Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed at 40, a younger voice is represented here, appealing to the newly diagnosed. Find on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other podcast platforms
- Gray Strong Foundation Support Group – This group led by Founder Eric Aquino and Gray Strong Medical Director, Catherine Wunder, strives to help and support the needs of Parkinson’s patients by giving them the knowledge and tools that they may be struggling to find. The motto here is “Helping individuals and their families #moveforwardwithparkinsons” by providing a therapeutic environment.
- Parkinson’s and Me Continuity of Care; Multidisciplinary Management of PD Symposium – This year, Gray Strong’s annual symposium featuring presentations from medical experts, therapists, Parkinson’s community influentials and inspiring Keynote Speaker is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2022 at ArtsQuest from 9am – 5pm. For Event Registration, Sponsorship opportunities and Breakout Sessions, visit Graystrong.org.
“We are pleased to be able to provide these community grants and to expand programs and resources throughout the Parkinson’s community,” said John L. Lehr, Parkinson’s Foundation president and chief executive officer. “Every one of these grant recipients shares our commitment to making life better for people with Parkinson’s disease.”
Gray Strong founder, Eric Aquino continues, “Thanks to the Parkinson’s Foundation, my dream of helping the Parkinson’s community comes to fruition. My Grandmother suffered from Parkinson’s and I was diagnosed with early on-set Parkinson’s at 40, so working with the Parkinson’s Foundation to raise awareness and provide support to those living with PD is a natural partnership.”
Programs funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation community grants also include wellness, dance, music therapy and educational programs that help people with Parkinson’s live better with the disease. These programs will benefit communities in 40 states across the country. To see the full list of the 2021 community grant recipients, visit Parkinson.org/CommunityGrants.
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About Gray Strong
Gray Strong Foundation helps individuals #moveforwardwithparkinsons by providing medical and program resource support for Parkinson’s patients and their families. Founded by local EMT, Eric Aquino, Gray Strong Foundation offers much needed support and Parkinson’s disease (PD) awareness to the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas via fundraising initiatives, @tremblingEMT social media tips and podcasts, medical resource information and exercise programs. Aquino is no stranger to generating successful non-profit organizations as a former chapter President of a local Pink Heals chapter (easily recognized by their pink fire trucks) and current Michael J. Fox Foundation Ambassador.
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 $368 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care.
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 United States. 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 United States alone.
Information provided to TVL by:
Tiffany Sondergaard
Public Relations Liaison Event Planning Specialist
–ts PR & Event Planning
www.tseventplanning.com
