PARKINSON RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA

The Parkinson Research Foundation would like to thank its sponsors for their continued support. Without their assistance, the foundation would not be able to provide such meaningful and supportive programs to the Parkinson’s community. THE PARKINSON RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. IS A REGISTERED 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT CORPORATION. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE (1-800-HELP-FLA) OR ON THE One of the principal missions of the Parkinson Research Foundation that distinguishes it from other Parkinson organizations is a focus on patient education and free onsite and online services that enable Parkinson patients and their caregivers to live fuller and more comfortable lives with Parkinson’s disease. PRF’s Parkinson Place Multidisciplinary Care Program, national and international online outreach, seminars, conferences, and educational activities offer life-changing tools and knowledge for people affected by Parkinson’s disease. About the Parkinson Research Foundation The Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) is a nonprofit health organization providing Parkinson’s research, advocacy, education and services. PRF is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The MISSION of the PARKINSON RESEARCH FOUNDATION is to help find a cure for Parkinson’s disease through funding research, while providing education and services that improve the quality of life today for Parkinson patients and their caregivers. To fulfill this mission: Mr. Hoffheimer formed and led the advocacy effort that resulted in the Congressional Resolution and Presidential Proclamation declaring the 1990s as “The Decade of the Brain.” He founded the National Foundation for Brain Research which provided enhanced visibility for neurological disorders. Mr. Hoffheimer was asked by the National Parkinson Foundation to serve as its Washington counsel where he became a leader in the lobbying effort to pass the Morris K. Udall Bill, which provided $100,000,000 for research into the cause and cure for Parkinson’s disease. He was elected President of the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area during which time the foundation raised more than $2 million for medical research. In 2006, Mr. Hoffheimer moved to Sarasota and formed the Parkinson Research Foundation. He continues his lifelong commitment to the Parkinson community by playing an active role as chairman of the PRF. Juan Sanchez-Ramos, MD, PhD a leader in the field, is the Medical Director for the Parkinson Research Foundation. He is a Professor of Neurology at the University of South Florida, Tampa where he holds the Helen Ellis Endowed Chair for Parkinson’s disease research. Dr. Sanchez-Ramos offers monthly “Ask the Doctor” educational programs and scheduled patient consultations at Parkinson Place. As Program Director she is responsible for the full scope of quality services provided at Parkinson Place, an 11,000 square foot multidisciplinary care center in Sarasota, Florida dedicated to improving the lives of those living with Parkinson’s disease. She is the driving force that makes Parkinson Place a Center of Excellence for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She brings over fifteen years of financial and business management experience to the foundation. As Administrative Director, Lynne oversees the PRF Major Donor Program. She manages the daily business operations for both the foundation and Parkinson Place. Lynne’s enthusiasm and strong interpersonal skills contribute to PRF’s overall mission to play a positive role in the lives of Parkinson patients, caregivers and the community at large. Toni, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, studied Business Administration at the University of Phoenix. With 32 years of experience in customer relations and satisfaction, she serves as the Service Coordinator at Parkinson Place greeting hundreds of Parkinson patients, caregivers, health care professionals and guests. As the Service Coordinator, Toni is responsible for reception, administrative support, member services and coordination of daily programs. Toni’s optimism, enthusiasm and friendly smile are a welcomed gift making every visitor feel special and at home. The Parkinson Research Foundation is proud to have Toni as part of the dedicated team committed to improving quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of unknown cause that affects nearly 1.5 million people in the United States. While there is no test that can clearly identify the disease, there are a variety of tests, such as brain scans, that can help doctors decide if a patient has true Parkinson’s disease or some other disorder that resembles it. You can’t remember how to start your car: Do you release the brakes and then turn on the ignition? Or do you turn on the ignition and then release the brakes? And which way do you turn the ignition key: clockwise? Counter-clockwise? Right to left or left to right? You can’t remember how to use the telephone: Which end of the phone do you speak into? Do you wait for a “tone” and then push the buttons or do you push the buttons before you hear the “tone?” You can’t remember how to make change? The man gave you $1.00 do you give him back 3 quarters, two nickels and a dime, or two dimes and a nickel? Not remembering how to perform commonly learned skills: starting a car, using the telephone, making change, is called apraxia. You are able to perform each component of the act: you can put the key into the ignition, you can turn the key, you can release the brake, but you can’t get the sequence right. You take no pleasure in doing things, things you enjoyed in the past. Such a lack of pleasure, called anhedonia, may be part of depression, or it may be part of dementia.