#PUSH for Parkinson's this April
Around the World, April is Parkinson Awareness Month.
Every day in Canada, 18 more people are diagnosed with Parkinson disease, which means that in April alone more than 550 individuals in this country will learn they have the disease. PD is a chronic, progressive disease with no treatment, therapy, or drug to slow or halt its progression. However, with the proper medical care, support system, education and services, many people with PD can live a full and active life.
This April, we will #PUSH for Parkinson’s! And when we say PUSH, we mean striding forward with purpose and intention. Whether it’s conquering a walk around the block, finishing a crossword, or making new connections, it’s all about giving ourselves that little nudge!
PUSH can represent the steps we take to take action. Preparation, Uniqueness, Safety, and Health are crucial elements to consider when preparing to achieve our objectives—a roadmap to success! So, let’s get ready, focus on our goals, prioritize safety, and enjoy the health benefits as we stay active.
Learn more about how you can #PUSH for Parkinson’s this April below. We encourage everyone to Get Involved, Learn More and Donate Now
PUSH for ACTION
- Register for our Friday Lunch & Learn webinars.
- Sign up for a PD 101 presentation.
- Watch our Education/Information videos on our YouTube Channel and share them.
- Become a member to receive our Pulse Magazines.
- Join our newsletter for all the latest news.
- Call our toll-free line and reach our support staff.
- Visit one of our community fundraisers.
- Join a boxing, yoga or dance class.
- Participate in our Sit ‘n Stand Challenge throughout April
- Register for regional support group for caregivers, clients, family.
- Join us in Calgary April 7th and Edmonton April 11th for our Stand Up to Parkinson’s events.
- Socialize at our Spring Socials.
- Share your story of support, strength and resilience.
- Become part of our community by volunteering.
- Fund ongoing research in Alberta.
- Partner with our community to spread awareness.
PUSH for IMPACT
- $10/month helps provide one 1:1 support session for a person impacted by Parkinson’s
- Over 4,800 1:1 support sessions are held every year across Alberta!
- $10/month helps us deliver one PD 101 information presentation to group or audience.
- We inform thousands of Albertans about Parkinson disease and Atypical Parkinsonism every year!
- $25/month helps provide one of our hundreds of support groups across Alberta and in NT
- Over 300 support groups per year held around Alberta!
- $25 provides an important Blue Pack Introduction to Parkinson’s booklet to someone needing this important information.
- Every year, we distribute hundreds of booklets across Alberta and beyond!
- $40 provides an Aware and Care Parkinson’s Kit to a person impacted.
- Last year, PAA handed out hundreds of these resource kits.
- $50/month provides programs and supports for one person impacted by PD
- More than 11,000 people accessed our programs and supports last year, and that number is trending up in 2025!
Donate and support important Alberta-based Parkinson’s research, and do your part to PUSH towards the cure!
Sit 'n Stand Challenge
Throughout April, we will encourage people to register, set a Sit ‘n Stand goal, and start sitting ‘n standing for Parkinson’s! Our overall goal is 100,000 Sit ‘n Stands in April.
On April 7th in Calgary and April 11th – World Parkinson Day in Edmonton, we will Stand Up to Parkinson’s, with a commitment to complete 10,000 sit ‘n stands in 24-hours! Our 2nd annual Stand Up Events in Calgary and Edmonton will invite those living with and loving someone with PD or PD+ to come out and participate in a variety of fun, physical, mental and speech activities.
Start tracking your Sit ‘n Stands with our tracking log.
Stand Up to Parkinson's Event
On April 11th, across Canada, thousands will be joining together to Stand Up For Parkinson’s.
Join us on April 7th in Calgary and April 11th – World Parkinson Day in Edmonton, where we will have large participation and social events, bringing our communities, and their circles, together to learn, share, enjoy and participate, as we do our part to achieve 100,000 sit ‘n stands in the month of April!
Join us for free coffee and baked goods, appearances from local community leaders, fitness demonstrations and the sit ‘n stand challenge!
A Sit ‘n Stand is the transitional movement going from a seated position to an upright standing position. They are a full body exercise that improves mobility, balance and strength for your whole body! They provide great benefits for those with Parkinson disease and Atypical Parkinsonism (formerly Parkinson’s Plus Syndromes).
Sit on the edge of a chair and bring your arms forward so they are parallel with the floor or across your chest. Feet should be flat on the ground hip-width apart.
Use your lower body to pull yourself up to the upright standing position.
Sit back down without lowering your arms and hinge at the hips. Inhale on your way up. Exhale slowly on the way down. Repeat as many times as you can!
Modification: Sit with a chair in front of the kitchen sink – knees can touch the cupboards if easier. Using both hands grip the edge of the sink with both hands and pull yourself up
Follow this YouTube video tutorial
Track your Sit ‘n Stands using this Sit ‘n Stand Tracker Form and update us at the end of the month by emailing communications@parkinsonassociation.ca or bring your forms to our Spring Socials! Do these daily as many times as you can!
Lunch & Learns
Register for our free noon-hour webinars on the first and last Friday of April, and hear from our 2024 research recipients and their research taking place right here in Alberta!
Speakers: Erik O’Hara & Nesa Keshavarz Moghadam
Light Up for Parkinson's
Join us all across Alberta to Spark the Night Up for Parkinson disease.
All the structures will be lighting the night blue on Thursday April 10th or Friday April 11, 2025. Share with us your photos on social media and tag us at @parkinsonassociationofalberta and use #PUSHforParkinsons
