Sarasota, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2010 -- The 1-day conference will have general session presentations throughout the day, exhibition sessions during the sponsored snack breaks, and a question and answer session at the end of the day for full interaction and discussion between participants and speakers.

PARKINSON'S DISEASE: NEW HOPE

Fourth Annual PRF Parkinson's disease Conference

Sponsored by University of South Florida and the PRF Center of Excellence,
Teva Neurosciences and UCB

Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel – Tampa, Florida

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Program Chair, Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos

Parkinson's disease conference - Voice Aerobics and Principles of Vocal Development
The vocal mechanism, like other systems in the body, operates by muscle power. An understanding of the basic principles of vocal development used with professional speakers and singers can also benefit you.
Almost any neuromuscular problem or disease can result in changes in how the respiratory system is used, with the end result being dissatisfaction with voice production. Changes you may notices in your voice, may include: too soft, hoarse, breathy, scratchy, or changes and loss of pitch range.

Mary Spremulli, MA,CCC-SLP, a medical speech pathologist and licensed nurse, with over 25 years of health care experience will be giving a presentation at The Parkinson Research Foundation's annual conference in Tampa, FL on Saturday, April 24th 2010.

The 1-day conference will have general session presentations throughout the day, exhibition sessions during the sponsored snack breaks, and a question and answer session at the end of the day for full interaction and discussion between participants and speakers.

Topics to be discussed at the conference include:

- Non-motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
- Intro to Wii as a Therapy Aid
- Current Medications and the Future of PD
- Future Hope for Parkinson's Disease
- Use It or Lose It
- Advances in Surgery for Parkinson's Disease
- Voice Aerobics
- Nutrition and Parkinson's Disease
- How do Support Groups Help

About the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF)
The Parkinson Research Foundation is a nonprofit health organization providing Parkinson's disease research, information and advocacy. The mission of PRF is to help cure Parkinson's disease and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease. To fulfill this mission, the Parkinson Research Foundation will fund research, publish scientific findings, provide funding for information and other services to people with Parkinson's disease, their families, caregivers, health care professionals and the public. PRF also expects to be actively involved in advocating for scientific research and for the rights of people with Parkinson's disease.

The money raised by PRF funds research, information programs, and advocacy and awareness efforts that will support the over one million people with Parkinson's disease in communities across America.

For more information about PRF or to register for this April 24, 2010 Conference, please contact Ms. Rosa Seminario at rseminario@parkinsonresearchfoundation.org or call (800) 869-1551 ext. 0. Thank you for your interest and support.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Parkinson’s Fun Walk - The walk will be held in downtown Tampa and will begin at 9:00am on Saturday April 17th. It will begin at Ballast Point Park and cover a 3 mile loop down Bayshore Blvd. and conclude back at the park.

Tampa, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/13/2010 -- Push your limit in a modified Marine Corps style fitness competition. Test your strength and see how you measure up against other participants in endurance, stamina, and working your core. Everyone is invited to participate and we present you with a challenging competition sure to attract an audience.

The fitness competition will be in conjunction with the Fun Walk, Wii tournament, blood drive, and free wellness festival. There is something for everyone and will encourage a fun filled day for all.

The walk will be held in downtown Tampa and will begin at 9:00am on Saturday April 17th. It will begin at Ballast Point Park and cover a 3 mile loop down Bayshore Blvd. and conclude back at the park.

The money raised will be used to fund research, educational programs, advocacy and awareness efforts that will support Parkinson's patients, caregivers and families in communities across America.

Registration will begin at 8:00am the day of the walk, however, preregistration is highly recommended. Walkers can participate as an individual or a member of a team. Registration is $20 dollars for adults and $10 dollars for children the day of the walk. The registration includes a Fun Walk T-shirt and one free Fun Walk raffle ticket.

For more information and to register contact Danielle Auger at dauger@parkinsonresearchfoundation.org or visit us the walk website at http://www.parkinsonfunwalk.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Over 1 million Americans are have Parkinson’s disease. This April, the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) wants the American public to know just how difficult it is to live with Parkinson’s disease.

Sarasota, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/12/2010 -- Over 1 million Americans are have Parkinson's disease. This April, the Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) wants the American public to know just how difficult it is to live with Parkinson's disease.

Whether it is walking, eating, or getting dressed, everything takes more time, more effort and planning. This debilitating disease often robes its victims of long-lasting careers. It can deprive them of independence and disrupts their lifestyle, as well as their families.

"Momentum is very important during the course of striving to meet difficult challenges, said Parkinson Research Foundation Chairman, Lawrence Hoffheimer. He also said, "Each Parkinson organization approaches the many issues involved in treating and caring for patients and the areas of research to support, differently. This attracts more minds and innovative ideas working to solve these complex problems."
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects over 1 million Americans. The most common symptoms are tremor, slowness, balance problems, and muscle rigidity. PD is a progressive neurological disorder that results from degeneration of neurons in a region of the brain that controls movement. This degeneration creates a shortage of the brain signaling chemical (neurotransmitter) known as dopamine, causing movement impairments that characterize the disease.

The average age of onset is 57, but can affect people at a much younger age.

"Our goal is to help improve the lives of people affected by Parkinson's disease," says Lawrence Hoffheimer.

If you're interested in learning different ways you can get involved and help raise awareness for Parkinson's disease, here are some ideas. Each year we produce educational programs which include semi-annual cruises and conferences. Our next cruise will take place September 25th, 2010 to Alaska and the conference will be April 24th,2010 at the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel in Tampa, FL.

There are many other ways you can help such as volunteering, sponsoring events, and donating directly to the foundation. PRF is coordinating exciting upcoming fundraising events; on April 17th we have our Fun Walk and wellness festival at Ballast Point Park in Tampa, Fl and April 19th,2010 is the Taste the World Golf Tournament and food festival at Hunter's Green Country Club in Tampa, Fl.

For more information about the Parkinson Research Foundation or to find out how you can participate in our upcoming events, please log onto http://www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Tampa, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/22/2010 -- The Parkinson Research Foundation will be presenting its second annual walk to raise awareness about Parkinson's disease and money to help support the mission of the Parkinson Research Foundation.

On Saturday April 17th, 2010, the annual walk will be held in downtown Tampa and will begin at 9:00am. The walk will begin at Ballast Point Park and cover a 3 mile loop down Bayshore Blvd. and conclude back at the park.

This year's walk has already gained the unanimous support of the Tampa community. The Parkinson Research Foundation hopes that bringing its cause to the streets will help raise awareness about over one million people across America who are affected by this crippling disease.

The money raised will be used to fund research, educational programs, advocacy and awareness efforts that will support Parkinson's patients, caregivers and families in communities across America. Registration will begin at 8:00am the day of the walk, however, preregistration is highly recommended. Walkers can participate as an individual or a member of a team. Registration is $20 dollars for adults and $10 dollars for children the day of the walk. The registration includes a Fun Walk T-shirt and one free Fun Walk raffle ticket.

For every $75 that a walker raises in sponsorships and pledges they will receive an additional ticket. Upon the completion of the walk a ticket will be drawn at random and the winner will be awarded a sensational prize. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each.

For more information and to register contact Danielle Auger at dauger@parkinsonresearchfoundation.org or visit us the walk website at http://www.parkinsonfunwalk.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm