OUR PROGRAMS
CARE - COMMUNITY - CURE
Our mission at the PAA is to improve the quality of life for Parkinson's patients, care partners and families throughout the state of Alabama. Everything we do falls within three categories: care, community and cure. We strive to offer a balanced approach to providing excellent programming and funding for these areas to make an impact, locally in Alabama for those affected by Parkinson's.
CARE
Care Navigation
The PAA is pleased to provide personalized Care Navigation sessions to those newly diagnosed, their care partners and families. Through a personal call or zoom session, we can help you identify which resources best match your current journey without overwhelming you, but connecting you to the resources and support available to you. To request a session, email ellen@parkinsonalabama.org to schedule.
Support Line
Have a question about Parkinson's and PAA Resources. Our Care Navigators are available to answer your calls, Monday - Friday from 9am - 3pm. Call, 1.833.473.5465, ext. 2. For General Inquiries, contact 1.833.473.5465.
Online Resource Center
Connect with our online resource center to discover valuable content to help you with the navigation of your Parkinson's journey. You will find resources for those newly diagnosed, as well as those seeking support throughout their journey. A special Care Partner section is also available, along with a comprehensive directory of Parkinson's specific, Alabama resources. Find it at www.parkinsonalabama.info.
Grants and Scholarships
We recognize the importance of movement for those living with Parkinson's. The PAA provides more than $30 thousand dollars annually in grants and scholarships to Parkinson's movement groups. If you need financial assistance to plug into a special Parkinson's class, contact the PAA for to receive an application for a scholarship. 1.833.473.5465. Our care navigators can also assist with connecting you to other government and financial assistance programs throughout the State of Alabama.
Movement-Based Scholarship
COMMUNITY
Support Groups
The PAA helps to support more than 20 in-person support groups throughout the state of Alabama. In addition to these groups, the PAA also hosts virtual support groups that meet monthly for those living with Parkinson's and their Care Partners. To see if there is a support group near you, or to find out more about our virtual support group opportunities, please go HERE.
Movement Groups
Movement Groups can range by activity - whether it is boxing, dance or general exercise. These groups are a hybrid approach, hosting both an exercise / movement class and support group opportunity. There is great comradery in these groups. Learn more about what movement groups are available to you in Alabama HERE.
Patient Education Symposiums
Each year, the PAA brings together Alabama's top PD experts for a day filled with education and connection to resources throughout Alabama. This year's event will be hosted on Friday, March 10th, 2023 at the Pelham Civic Center. Registration is open - see more details including the agenda, session details, speakers and more HERE.
CURE
Fundraisers for Research
TASTE FOR A CURE
The PAA hosts two key fundraising events each year. TASTE FOR A CURE has become a popular annual event that features tastings from a variety of Birmingham fare options, an auction, live music and a wonderful night of connecting with others as we celebrate Parkinson's Awareness Month. This year's event will be held on Thursday, April 27th at the B&A Warehouse. Purchase tickets and learn more about the event HERE.
FALL COCKTAIL DINNER
In addition to the spring fundraiser, the Parkinson's Association also hosts an elite signature Cocktail Dinner. 2023 will mark its 15th annual event. Proceeds from this event are raised for the Pre-Doctoral Scholarship program to fund research currently underway at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for Parkinson's Disease. More details about this event will be made available in the late summer HERE.
TEAM ROWLAND
This year's event will take place the weekend of October 7, 2023. Team Rowland hosts a weekend of annual festivities every fall that includes a golf tournament and bike ride at Oak Mountain State Park. The goal? Raise money for Parkinson's Research. Sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson Association of Alabama, to date, more than $1 MILLION dollars has been raised by this group over the last six years to find a cure for Parkinson's. Team Fox is the grassroots community fundraising program at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). MJFF is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through research and improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's. They have partnered with the Parkinson's Association of Alabama to raise funds, spread awareness, and encourage movement with the Team Rowland Road Series. See photos from previous events.
Research Acceleration Fund
Together, the PAA and UAB established the Parkinson's Disease Research Acceleration Fund (RAF). Through the support of our generous donors, the funds received for this initiative allows the UAB Department of Neurology to continue its ongoing mission to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease. The goal of the RAF is to bring new treatments and cures forward to the PD community as quickly and as safely as possibly by continually advancing new projects and new ideas, and engaging the best and brightest minds in the work of solving PD. Currently, more than 30 doctors and scientists are working in the UAB's Department of Neurology seeking a cure and treating patients with Parkinson's. The names of all PAA RAF donors are displayed on a wall at the UAB SPARKS Center. The investment to the PAA RAF initiative allows UAB to move forward with their innovative research to eradicate Parkinson's disease. For information about becoming a PAA RAF donor, please contact Henry Ray, Board Member and Development Chair, or Rusty Stewart, PAA Emeritus Director at 1.833.473.5465. Learn more about the Research Acceleration Fund HERE.
Pre-Doctoral Scholarships
In 2015, the Board of Trustees at UAB and the PAA approved the establishment of the Parkinson Association of Alabama Scholar in Neurology Endowed Support Fund within the School of Medicine at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. The PAA has generously given additional gifts for the purpose of converting the PAA Scholar in Neurology Endowed Support Fund to the Parkinson Association of Alabama Endowed Professorship. Meet our Previous Scholars.
It is the desire of the PAA that this Professorship be used to assist with the recruitment and retention of talented PD scholars to strengthen and grow UAB's Division of Movement Disorders in the Department of Neurology by promoting research and education focusing on Parkinson's disease. This endowment was put into PAA"s name as a tribute to the non-profit organization's exemplary commitment to research and education to the Department of Neurology and to UAB as a whole. See the PAA resolution HERE.
