Our Work

From the time of our creation in 1957 by William Black, founder of the Chock full  o’Nuts coffee and restaurant company,  the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) has been committed to finding a cure for Parkinson’s, while ensuring that those who live with the disease are able to enjoy the best possible quality of life.

Hallmarks of PDF’s Work:

• The perspective of people with Parkinson’s that is central to our efforts;
• A commitment to maximizing the impact of our programs;
• The integrity of our fiscal and fiduciary standards and practices;
• The transparency and accountability of our operations;
• A spirit of teamwork that ensures that we collaborate and coordinate with other organizations — both to get the job done and to minimize the duplication of services.

What We Do

Advance Research

• INVEST in select teams at leading Parkinson’s research centers, including Columbia University Medical Center and Cornell Weill Medical Center in New York, as well as Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and offer these scientists the fl exibility and long-term support to collaborate on basic, translational and clinical research.
• FUND pioneering research that has potential to advance the knowledge of Parkinson’s through our grassroots International Research Grants Program.
• PREPARE future leaders in Parkinson’s research and clinical practice by offering fellowships and career development awards.
• PROMOTE the movement of treatments from “bench to bedside” through our Advancing Parkinson’s Treatments Grants.

Increase Knowledge

• ANSWER the community’s questions about Parkinson’s and connect people living with the disease to community resources through our National HelpLine, (800) 457-6676.
• DEVELOP print, video and online educational materials and programs based on community needs.
• PROVIDE a centralized and up-to-date source for information and resources about Parkinson’s through our comprehensive and interactive website, www.pdf.org.
• OFFER health care professionals trainings and tools to better understand Parkinson’s and treat it effectively.

Empower Community

• OFFER training and tools to over 200 Research Advocates who are collaborating with researchers, government and industry to advance research and speed the development of new treatments.
• ENGAGE people with Parkinson’s to raise awareness about the disease and involve their communities in the cause.
• IDENTIFY critical issues facing the Parkinson’s community and convene experts to create solutions.
• SUPPORT advocates working on the Federal level through our grant to the Parkinson’s Action Network, the public policy  voice of the Parkinson’s community in Washington, DC

To learn more about PDF and our programs, please download our 2011 Annual Report, or contact us at (800) 457-6676 or info@pdf.org