Major conference for Parkinson's patients in B.C.

Parkinson's: Moving Forward

VANCOUVER, Oct 6 /CNW/ - On October 29, 30, 31, 2010, Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) will host its second major conference for individuals with Parkinson's, their carepartners, family members, and healthcare professionals.  Parkinson's: Moving Forward will be held at the Delta Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond and will feature internationally renowned researchers and clinicians.

John Rice, Chair of the Board of Directors said, "We are honoured and privileged to bring together leading clinicians and researchers from Canada and the US who share a life-long passion - to improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson's disease through treatment, and to find a cure. Topics will include a Research Update; Pain in Parkinson's Disease; Managing the Advancing Symptoms of Parkinson's; Exercise for People with Parkinson's; and Mood and Cognitive Changes in Parkinson's."

Speakers will include:
Dr. A. Jon Stoessl is the Director of the Pacific Parkinson's Research Centre at UBC and was awarded the Order of Canada for his work in Neurology and Parkinson's in February 2007.   He is the Medical Advisor of Parkinson Society British Columbia and the past Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Parkinson Society Canada.

Dr. Becky G. Farley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She developed LSVT® BIG and completed a National Institute of Health funded randomized clinical trial, documenting its efficacy. Dr. Farley also recently founded a community neurogym for people with Parkinson's that implements the latest research-based exercise and enrichment programs for wellness and recovery.

Dr. Monique Giroux is the Medical Director of the Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland, Washington.  She has developed and coordinated comprehensive care, including rehabilitation and wellness based therapies, for people with Parkinson's and related disorders. 

Dr. Christopher Honey is the Director of the Surgical Centre of Movement Disorders at Vancouver General Hospital and an Associate Professor of Surgery at UBC.  He earned his medical degree from the University of Toronto and, as a Rhodes Scholar, completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree.  Dr. Honey is the only neurosurgeon in BC who performs Deep Brain Stimulation surgery on individuals with Parkinson's.

"We are ecstatic about the response we received from the Parkinson's community and the healthcare professionals," said Diane Robinson, PSBC Chief Executive Officer. "To date, we have 100 registered practicing healthcare professionals and 320 delegates from all over BC, Alberta and Washington. It is clear that we have responded to a definite need and that people are hungry for knowledge."

Parkinson's is the second most common chronic neurological disorder after Alzheimer's. In BC, there are 11,000 individuals suffering with Parkinson's but this number can be doubled or tripled based on the fact that everyone in the family is affected. Parkinson Society British Columbia receives no government funding and relies entirely on the generosity of individual donors, members, corporations, foundations and the dedicated efforts of volunteers.

Established in 1969, Parkinson Society British Columbia is a not-for-profit registered charity that exists to address the personal and social consequences of Parkinson's disease through education, outreach, scientific research, advocacy and public awareness.  For more information, visit www.parkinson.bc.ca

For further information:

To schedule an interview or for more information: 
Diane Robinson, CEO, Parkinson Society British Columbia, 604 662 3240  1 800 668 3330 [email protected]