Twenty six people living around the world with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease aim to 'pay it
forward' by launching a 52 week Facebook fundraiser to help OTHER people with YOPD to
attend the 6th World Parkinson Congress. These 26 participants hope to raise $50,000 to help
send up to 50 YOPD to Barcelona, Spain to be part of the extraordinary WPC 2022 experience.
Twenty-six people, all but one who live with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (YOPD) have launched a year-long Facebook fundraiser to help others living with YOPD attend the 6th World Parkinson Congress. The
participants, representing 11 countries, will each host a fundraiser for two weeks, running back to back to cover
all 52 weeks in 2020. The group aims to raise at least $50,000 for travel grants to support more people with
YOPD to attend the Congress.
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s, impacting an
estimated one million Americans and 10 million people worldwide. Parkinson’s is typically associated with
people 60 years and older, but up to 10% of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s get the diagnosis before the age
of 50. Trying to navigate a career, raise a family, and manage a Parkinson’s diagnosis can be overwhelming.
This is why a group of international YOPD advocates have joined the #WPC4YOPD Facebook Fundraiser to
help others with YOPD attend the World Parkinson Congress to learn about research, meet others facing similar
struggles, and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation that often accompany the disease.
“I am constantly frustrated by people telling me ‘you don’t look sick’ or ‘you’re too young to have
Parkinson’s’,” reports Heather Kennedy, WPC Advocate. At the WPC, I never have to explain myself or feel
embarrassed by my symptoms because I am surrounded by people who understand what I am going through.
That sense of being a part of a larger community changed my perspective on living well with Parkinson’s. I
want to share that experience with others who have not had the chance to attend a WPC yet. I want others with
YOPD to be inspired to live better lives the way the WPC inspired me.”
One hundred percent of every dollar raised will go towards providing travel grants to people with YOPD. The
goal is to raise over $50,000, which will help support up to 50 individuals from across the globe to attend the
6th World Parkinson Congress (WPC 2022), which will be held in Barcelona Spain from June 7 to 10, 2022.
More than 4,000 neurologists, basic scientists, neuroscientists, clinicians, rehabilitation experts, people with
Parkinson’s, care partners, and family members will participate in this unique congress. The program includes
four days of high-level talks on the latest scientific discoveries, medical practices, personal stories from people
with the disease, and caregiver programs related to Parkinson’s disease. The Congress’ distinct format enables
discussions on the leading scientific studies and allows for dialogue between participants about real issues
facing people living with Parkinson’s, helping to shape future Parkinson’s research, treatment and care.
“The WPC 2022 is the premiere meeting for international discourse on research, treatment and management of
Parkinson’s,” states Elizabeth Pollard, Executive Director of the World Parkinson Coalition. “By providing a
totally immersive Parkinson’s forum for researchers, health care providers and people with Parkinson’s, WPC
2022 enables a range and depth of conversations unlike any other Parkinson’s meeting. This fundraiser is an
incredible initiative that was designed and led by people living with PD. It shows how valuable and impactful
the WPC experience is for delegates, so impactful that they want others with YOPD to experience the WPC
themselves. It’s the ultimate ‘pay it forward’ campaign and I am honored to be part of this innovative fundraiser and generous community.”
