April 2025

From the Board

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. In the Community section below, we note some of the many ways we can all raise awareness about Parkinson's disease.

Friday, April 11, is World Parkinson’s Day, a day to take action, stay active and be engaged.

Staying active and engaged is what PD Active is all about. We encourage everyone to try out a new class, activity or support group.

This month we have two Online Roundtables which are designed to help you explore some of the many PD Active classes and get to know the wonderful instructors. Check out our calendar for listings of all our classes, support groups and events.

Please consider making a donation to PD Active to honor World Parkinson’s Day and to ensure that PD Active continues to be there for all those in our community this month and all year long.

Donate to PD Active

Programs and Events

New! African Americans Living with Parkinson’s and Friends

Walk in the Redwoods

All are Welcome

Date: Friday, April 4, 2025

Time: 10:30am

Location: Redwood Regional Park 

Join other African Americans and friends living with Parkinson’s in the Bay Area on this walk through the trees in beautiful Redwood Park. 

More information here.

Email programdirector@pdactive.org or AALP@pdactive.org to RSVP.

Keeping Fit and Engaged

Virtual, Interactive Round Table with PD Active Instructors

Join PD Active instructors and members in these two interactive webinars. Learn about the classes offered and try them out from the comfort of your home. The instructors will talk about their teaching approach, the value of the different types of movement and singing they offer as well as a preview of the classes they teach. 

Thursday, April 24th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, On Zoom

Movement and Voice Strategies for Wellness

With Vickie Russell-Bell (Yoga), Otto Dittmer (Tai Chi), and Lauren Carley (Tremolos Choir)

Tuesday, April 29th, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, On Zoom 

Dance and Movement for Connection and Joy

With Andreina Febres (Zumba) and Petra Fibrichova (PD Fit Club)

More information here.

Register here.

PD Active depends on donations to bring programs like these to our members. We remain grateful for your contributions.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Integrative Care in Parkinson’s Disease:

Advancing Treatments Through Science and Lifestyle

With Dr. Kian Adabi - Kaiser MDS

On March 8, over 100 people from the PD Active community gathered in-person to hear a presentation by Dr. Kian Adabi; Kaiser MDS. The venue was filled to capacity. Attendees asked excellent questions and informed, thoughtful responses were provided by Dr. Adabi. 

If you missed it, you can see a video of this in-person forum here.

And the presentation slides are available here.

Access all our past events on our website.

Save the Date

PD Active Spring Info Fair in the Park

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Lake Temescal Park, Oakland. 

Save the date for this popular spring event. Learn about classes and resources in the community. Meet the instructors. See old friends and make new ones. 

More information here.

Community

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Friday, April 11 is World Parkinson’s Day. There are many ways we as individuals and as a community can make a difference. 

• Raise Awareness!

Tell one or two people each week in April about Parkinson’s and about your journey. Friends, family, strangers – spread the word!

See resources for raising awareness here.

• Advocate!

Support efforts to find a cure.

• End Parkinson’s!

Support efforts to find the cause of Parkinson’s disease and eliminate causes such as pesticides. Join PD Avengers.

• Join a Clinical Trial!

Find information about UCSF clinical trials here.

Thank You to our Recent Donors

New Monthly Donors

Alden Mudge and Mari Loria 

Donors

Patricia Aragon

Lauren Eisele

Karen Grassle

Kerrie and Mark Halmi

Joe Held

Ann Hughes

Sally Lappen and Nik Warren

Marcia Linn

Andy Major

Howard and Mary Matis

Julie Merrill

Phil Miller

Kenji and Hitomi Murokami

David Rotenberg

Robert Sinai and Susie Schevill

Thomas Singman

Pamela Stone and Bruce Schearer

Chris and Annalisa Tay

John Yee and Donna Wong

Robert Yelland

Donations in Honor Of

Vincent Dumont – in honor of Catharine Hiersoux

Donations in Memory Of

Daniel Jarmel – in memory of Lee Shapiro

Karen Marek – in memory of Mike Clancy

Barbara Maury – in memory of Richard Hack DVM

Alan and Ruth Tobey – in memory of Michael Clancy

Yu Yu – in memory of Mary Haan