The Parkinson’s Foundation recently announced the recipients of more than $1 million in community grants for Parkinson’s disease programs across the U.S. Louisiana Tech University was awarded $10,000 to provide care partner support through their Parkinson Resource Center. This grant will support the Music & Movement and Voice programs that are offered free to those with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. In addition, this grant will provide education events to help individuals and families navigate the challenges of a PD diagnosis.
“The Parkinson Resource Center at Louisiana Tech was established as a collaborative effort between university faculty, students, and community experts with the goal of promoting a healthy Parkinson’s community by connecting people, programs, ideas, and resources,” said PRC director and nursing professor Dr. Donna Hood.
Since its inception in 2019, the PRC has involved faculty and students from nursing, speech-language pathology, music, nutrition & dietetics, the VISTA program, and kinesiology. Grants from the Parkinson’s Foundation coupled with gifts from donors across our region and collaboration with Louisiana Tech’s Rock Steady Boxing affiliate provide a comprehensive support network for those across north Louisiana who are living with a PD diagnosis.
The Foundation invests in community programs that make an impact in local communities and help people live better with PD by providing support for health, wellness and educational needs. The 2025 grant cycle funds programs that address mental health needs of people with PD, reach those who are PD care partners, and educate and deliver exercise specifically designed for people with PD.
“For the more than 1 million people living with PD in the U.S., access to local programs like support groups, exercise classes or educational courses is truly life-changing,” said Parkinson’s Foundation President and CEO John L. Lehr. “Investments in nation-wide community grant funding represents the Foundation’s on-going dedication to improving the lives of our Parkinson’s community across the country.”
About the Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $474 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect on Parkinson.org, Facebook, X, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
