With April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and April 11 being World Parkinson’s Day, Parkinson Canada is sharing the story of the “Why”; why Parkinson’s continues to be so prominent in Canada. Parkinson Canada is also sharing the “How”, exploring the four pillars of support Parkinson Canada provides, including funding critical research, providing support programs and resources, advocating alongside people living with Parkinson’s, and building awareness for the disease.

In this episode, Caroline Pitfield is joined by Karen Lee, Parkinson Canada President and CEO, Dr. Tony Lang, Movement Disorder Specialist, and Liz Loewen, a member of the Parkinson Advisory Council who also lives with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. Over 100,000 Canadians live with the disease, affecting one in every 500 people in Canada. More than 25 people are diagnosed every day, and more than 6,600 new cases are diagnosed each year in Canada. Canada has one of the highest rates of Parkinson’s in the world.Currently, there is no test for Parkinson’s, there is no treatment to stop it from progressing, and there is no cure. One in five people living in Canada with Parkinson’s wait a year or more to receive a formal diagnosis after reporting their symptoms to a medical professional. Prolonged wait times to receive diagnosis have serious implications for an individual’s quality of life, also increasing the likelihood of both physical and mental health deterioration. Despite this, research in Canada continues to lag; the most promising treatment for Parkinson’s was developed more than 50 years ago.