What's in store for March?

New Leadership and

Global Momentum

This March, PD Avengers is blooming with renewed energy as we formally welcome Esther Labib-Kiyarash, R. Bernard Coley, Dr. Michael S. Okun, and Dr. Ray Dorsey to our Board and Advisory team. This new leadership bridges world-class research with the vital lived experience of our community.

As we march toward Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April, our global story is gaining velocity through Steve Yellen’s proactive strategies in his new book Living Parkinson’s and Frank Antonicelli’s tribute to creative resilience. We also celebrate the international premiere of the Taiji film A passi lenti in Turin and the recent feature of our co-founders in Parkinson’s Life. These highlights prove that storytelling remains our most potent tool for change.

Lastly, take action! Help us carry this momentum to the world stage by voting for the U-Turn Parkinson’s film, "The Race to Live Your Best Life," in the WPC People’s Choice competition.

Watch, vote, and share becausevery voice moves us closer to change.

Meet Our Board

Members and Advisors

PD Avengers is proud to be supported by a dedicated group of board members and advisors committed to accelerating progress toward ending Parkinson’s disease.

Esther Labib-Kiyarash – A board member, young-onset Parkinson’s advocate, and former healthcare performance improvement director who uses her voice to raise awareness and empower the global Parkinson’s community.
R. Bernard Coley – A longtime technology executive, research advocate, and care partner who brings decades of leadership and community service.
Dr. Michael S. Okun – A leading neurologist and co-founder of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, whose research and clinical work have helped shape modern Parkinson’s care.
Dr. Ray Dorsey – A neurologist and researcher at the University of Rochester, recognized for his work on environmental causes of Parkinson’s and advancing prevention efforts.

Together, they bring expertise in advocacy, research, medicine, and lived experience to strengthen PD Avengers’ global mission.

What Does Living Parkinson’s Really Mean?

In “What Does Living Parkinson’s Really Mean?”, Steve Yellen shares his perspective on living with Parkinson’s beyond medical treatment.

After his diagnosis, Steve realized that managing Parkinson’s is not only about medication or doctor visits—it’s also about how you live day to day. By shifting from simply reacting to the condition to actively engaging with it, he built sustainable habits around exercise, wellness, and consistent routines.

In his book Living Parkinson’s, Steve presents a practical framework based on both research and lived experience, encouraging people to focus on realistic, sustainable steps that support quality of life and help them keep moving forward.

Available on Amazon

Creating Through Parkinson’s: Patience, Purpose, and Moving Forward

A follow-up to “The Helping Harmony of Music and Parkinson’s” (2024)

Frank Antonicelli reflects on how creativity has supported his journey with Parkinson’s.

Through writing and recording music, he discovered that creative projects can bring purpose, structure, and motivation, even while facing the daily challenges of the condition.

While Parkinson’s may change the pace of life, creativity can offer a meaningful way to stay engaged, express yourself, and keep moving forward.

Read the full blog and join the conversation

Taiji for Parkinson’s

On Monday, March 2, the short film “A passi lenti – quando il Parkinson incontra il Taiji” (Slow Steps – When Parkinson’s Meets Taiji) had its first official screening at Cinema Massimo in Turin, welcomed by a large, enthusiastic audience.

Produced in 2025 as part of the “Taiji for Parki, Taiji for Health!” project, the film was promoted by AIGP in collaboration with Taiji-to (Chen Bing Taiji Academy Italy) and made possible thanks to the support of the Waldensian Church.

This screening marks only the beginning of the journey. The project now aims to bring the short film to new cultural, health, and social spaces—raising awareness of the Taiji x Parki initiative and creating more opportunities for connection, practice, and shared understanding.

Watch the Short Film Here

Get 15% off when you spend $20 or more Use code: SPARK26

This film highlights the power of patient-led storytelling and the importance of sharing real experiences from the Parkinson’s community.

Watch and vote to help amplify this story. It only takes a minute, and every vote makes a difference.

Vote Here

PD Avengers Co-Founders Spotlighted in Parkinson’s Life, Highlighting Global Advocacy Efforts

PD Avengers’ co-founders Larry Gifford, Dr. Soania Mathur, and Tim Hague Sr. are featured in Parkinson’s Life in recognition of their leadership in global Parkinson’s advocacy.

The article explores how each has transformed their personal experience with Parkinson’s into purposeful action, using storytelling, public engagement, and collaboration to raise awareness and create urgency. It also highlights the growing momentum of the PD Avengers movement and its mission to unite voices worldwide in the push for better treatments and a cure.