Your 2024 Impact
A message from our leadership
This year, we moved differently. Boldly. Bravely. With purpose in our step and community at our side.
Thanks to you—our donors, volunteers, and partners—we’re building a world where no one is limited by Parkinson’s. Your generosity empowered people across the country to access life-changing support, amplify their voices, and rediscover their rhythm—on their own terms.
Together, we are living our mission: to empower and inspire people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners to thrive and live courageously. Your support is what turns that mission into momentum—driving breakthrough research, expanding vital services, and helping reframe what’s possible.
Because of you, our community continues to rise—moving forward with strength, confidence, and a refusal to be defined by Parkinson’s. Each gift, each gesture of support, is more than an act of generosity. It’s a vote for vibrance. For resilience. For a future where everyone affected by Parkinson’s feels connected, supported and inspired.
Thank you for standing with us. For believing in bold. And for helping set full and rich lives in motion.
President and CEO
Karen Lee, Ph.D.
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Chair, Parkinson Advisory Council
Bob Kuhn
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Chair, Parkinson Canada Board of Directors
Laura Edgar
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Because of you...
Together, we will create a world where no one is limited by Parkinson’s.
Our impact by the numbers
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20,000+ people learned
and felt connected through our webinars
400+ volunteers gave their time
$13,960,842
raised in 2024
We answered 2350 calls and 3075 email requests for support
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103 support groups
across Canada
23 research grants awarded via
$2.4M in research funding
Nearly 320,000 people visited parkinson.ca to access information and support
$3,031,297 raised through events
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$107,000 invested in community programs through our CARE Fund
1350 people living with Parkinson’s and care partners attending support groups every month
With you, every step of the way
Our programs and resources help people affected by Parkinson’s stay connected, supported and inspired.
Webinars bring our community together
Parkinson Canada hosts live webinars each month, focused on connecting our community with experts, people living with Parkinson’s and care partners, with the goal of empowering everyone with the information they need to thrive. These virtual events were attended live or later watched online more than 20,000 times in 2024. Here is what a few attendees said about the events:
“Very helpful, down to earth, The focus on honest, real-life experiences was appreciated. Touches of humour really uplifting. Not just educational but entertaining.”
-Webinar participant
“I was concerned that it would be depressing and anxiety-provoking, but instead I feel some hope and a bit less scared of the future course of my disease progression.”
-Webinar participant
We’re here to help: meet Kerri Lynn
Our support team answers thousands of phone calls and emails from the Parkinson’s community every year, from all across Canada. The team delivers personalized support in English and French, depending on the particular concern and location of the person asking for help. Kerri Lynn Gudz is a member of the support team, and shares that no two days, just like no two people with Parkinson’s, are alike.
Kerri Lynn shares, “all of us on the team are empathetic listeners and helpers by nature. The calls can feel difficult at times, but we each value the opportunity to be there for someone and make a difference, whether big or small, in someone’s life. It’s empowering to be able to give people some tools to help feel more in control of their situation.”
People often call back time and time again, so as their Parkinson’s evolves, so too can the support we offer. “We have many people that we have connected with in some way come back to us, who refer others to us, and frankly who we establish a relationship and connection with – I think that is really special.”
Thanks to your support, Kerri Lynn and the entire support team is there for people living with Parkinson’s and care partners – people from all ages, backgrounds and unique perspectives across Canada. It is possible to live well with Parkinson’s, and information and support are essential to thriving.
Support groups offer hope and connection
Following a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, it’s crucial to connect with others to help you feel connected and supported. In 2024, we offered 103 in-person and virtual support groups across Canada that provide information and inspiration to 1350 people every month. Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re able to provide these groups at no cost to our community.
“I am so impressed with the support group. As a caregiver for my fairly newly diagnosed husband, I was initially anxious about joining the group. My husband was hesitant to participate, but he came along to see what it was all about. From the first meeting, we discovered new information and support, and now he looks forward to the meetings.”
-Support group participant
One-to-one support makes all the difference
Parkinson Canada's Peer-to-Peer support program matches newly diagnosed individuals or care partners with a volunteer with lived experience. The program helps people navigating Parkinson’s by providing a listening ear, a consistent voice, because they’ve been through it. We match people based on their unique challenges with someone who has faced similar experiences. We made 26 matches in 2024 and will continue to expand the program with the aim of reducing social isolation, building resilience, and providing tailored support.
“I’m very happy with the program. [My peer support] is always ready to help me with any question I have and is very supportive. Every time he finds something that can be helpful for me, he sends me an email with the information. Even if I haven’t contacted him, he always keeps in touch with me.”
- Peer-to-Peer Support Program participant
CARE Fund bridges gaps in underserved communities
In 2024, Parkinson Canada launched CARE Fund to support the unmet needs of people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners by providing community grants ranging from $5,000-$25,000. The fund supports local programs that help people affected by Parkinson’s to thrive by supporting physical and mental well-being. CARE Fund prioritizes equity by supporting initiatives that reach underserved, remote, and marginalized communities across Canada. By bridging resource gaps, CARE Fund ensures that vital Parkinson’s support is accessible for all who need it.
Parkinson’s IQ + You events uplift and connect community
Parkinson’s IQ + You is a free, in-person event series created by The Michael J. Fox Foundation to educate and empower people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Designed for all stages of the Parkinson’s journey, the events offer accessible, expert-led sessions on managing the condition, learning about the latest research, and connecting with local resources. In 2024, Parkinson Canada hosted two events—in Winnipeg on June 1 and Vancouver on November 23—bringing together more than 500 people with lived experience of Parkinson’s, clinicians and researchers to learn from and share with each other. Our community’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
“This was one of the most uplifting events we've ever attended. As we’ve been faced with a recent Parkinson’s diagnosis, it was truly a positive and memorable introduction to this supportive community.”
- Parkinson's IQ + You attendee, Winnipeg
Parkinson’s support, close to home
Finding Parkinson’s support in your community can be simple, thanks to Parkinson Canada’s CareFinder – an online directory that shows you tailored services, based on your location. In 2024, our CareFinder listings and regions with support expanded thanks to collaboration with provincial Parkinson’s organizations in Alberta, Quebec and B.C. We’re proud to have more than 2400 Parkinson’s-informed services listed on CareFinder, in communities large and small across Canada.
“My main concern is finding trustworthy care providers. When I search online, I hope they at least have some knowledge of Parkinson’s, but with this program, I feel much more hopeful. Knowing that each program is vetted removes the uncertainty of finding reliable programs nearby, that I can trust.”
- CareFinder user, Ontario
What you made possible in 2024
Raising your voice to create change
We couldn’t do this work without you—our donors, advocates, and community members. Your generosity fuels everything we do. Because of you, we can gather these insights, share these stories, and speak up for a better future. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re making life better for every family impacted by Parkinson’s in Canada.
The true cost of Parkinson’s
This year, we took a closer look at the financial toll Parkinson’s takes—not just on individuals and families, but on the health care system as a whole. We released a report entitled, the Economic Burden of Parkinson’s in Canada. What we found was eye-opening: the cost of Parkinson’s in Canada in 2024 was $3.3 billion, and it’s expected to rise to $4.4 billion by 2034.
We heard from people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners who are juggling high out-of-pocket costs, from medications and mobility aids to home support and travel for appointments. Many care partners are stepping away from work to provide full-time help, adding even more financial stress to families already stretched thin.
These stories are exactly why we’re pushing for change. We’re calling on the federal and provincial governments to better support our community with more accessible care, fair financial support, and stronger investment in research and data.
Life-changing deep brain stimulation surgery now offered in New Brunswick
In June of 2024, the New Brunswick government announced that a deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery clinic would be established at the Moncton Hospital. The community in New Brunswick was incredibly excited at this announcement, as it was a significant priority for them. Earlier in 2024, Parkinson Canada was happy to amplify the community’s voice and join the push for DBS in New Brunswick by asking the provincial government to establish a clinic like this in our 2024 Pre-Budget Submission.
DBS is available in most provinces, except for Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador, but is unavailable in all three territories. Parkinson Canada’s advocacy team amplifies the voice of the local Parkinson’s communities and brings awareness to just how life-changing this surgery can be for people living with Parkinson’s.
Advocacy in action in Ottawa
In 2024, Parkinson Canada took to Parliament Hill to make sure the voices of people living with Parkinson’s were heard loud and clear. We met with federal leaders and government staff to shine a spotlight on the urgent needs of the Parkinson’s community.
Together with people living with Parkinson’s, care partners and experts, we spoke up about the growing number of people in Canada affected by the condition, the challenges in accessing care, and the need for more Movement Disorder Specialists across the country. We also pushed for fair financial support and better access to essential medications.
The visit included a powerful roundtable event that brought together MPs and health officials for honest conversations about how the government can do more to support those living with Parkinson’s.
The response was energizing. Leaders listened, asked questions, and committed to staying engaged. The Parkinson Canada team left feeling hopeful and even more determined to keep the momentum going.
Fueling Parkinson’s research
Every day, donors and supporters make groundbreaking Parkinson’s research possible. Because of you, real breakthroughs may be possible.
Our research funding program is focused on funding research dedicated to:
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enhancing treatments
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exploring ways to slow or stop the condition
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understanding risk and prevention
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finding better ways to diagnose the condition
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how to live well with Parkinson’s
Last year, thanks to the generosity of our supporter community, we funded 23 projects with more than 2.4 million dollars in funding.
At the heart of our research program are people affected by Parkinson’s, who work alongside us to determine what areas of research will have the greatest impact on the community, helping us make difficult funding decisions with limited resources. We call these volunteers “Lived Experience Reviewers” who choose to give their time and share their knowledge of living with or caring for someone living with Parkinson’s.
"Parkinson Canada’s commitment to combining scientific expertise with lived experience makes the review of research funding applications more insightful and grounded. As a grant reviewer and person with Parkinson’s, I’m grateful to be part of conversations like these—thoughtful, engaged, and full of potential".
- Erin Kreeger, PhD
Your voice is shaping the future of Parkinson’s
In 2024, Parkinson Canada hosted its first-ever Patient Engagement Workshops in Toronto, Montreal and Saskatoon—bringing together people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, and researchers to share stories, ideas, and priorities. These conversations highlighted just how vital lived experience is in shaping research that truly reflects the needs of our community.
Thanks to the passion and advocacy of participants, we’re helping researchers see Parkinson’s through a more personal lens—making studies more inclusive, accessible, and impactful. We’re deeply grateful to everyone who shared their voice to drive change and bring us closer to a future where no one is limited by Parkinson’s.
“I found the workshop immensely valuable. Also the opportunity to network with patients and researchers was greatly appreciated.”
- Montreal attendee
“I’ve learned the vital role that patients and caregivers play in designing studies that are of clinical relevance. I’ve learned how research can be made more impactful by involving them not only during, but also before and after the study.”
- Toronto attendee
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Collaboration in motion: advancing Parkinson’s care together
In November 2024, more than 200 researchers, health care professionals, and people affected by Parkinson’s came together in Toronto for the 3rd Annual Canadian Movement Disorders Meeting—co-hosted by Parkinson Canada and the Canadian Movement Disorders Society. It was more than a conference. It was a collective commitment to the future of Parkinson’s care.
From exploring non-motor symptoms to wearable technologies, every conversation was focused on improving lives—faster, smarter, and more compassionately. This meeting reminded us what’s possible when experts unite with purpose, and when the voices of people living with Parkinson’s guide the path forward.
Together, we’re not just studying Parkinson’s—we’re reimagining what care can look like.
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Featured campaigns
Finding our swagger:
A bold new direction for Parkinson Canada
In 2024, Parkinson Canada launched Find Your Swagger—a bold, uplifting ad campaign that marked a powerful shift in how we talk about Parkinson’s. Rather than focusing on what people lose, we set out to celebrate what they gain: confidence, community, and the power to be seen.
At the heart of the campaign is Rob, an architect from Toronto, who moves through the world with a unique gait—and an unmistakable spark. While Parkinson’s presents challenges, many discover strength, purpose, and freedom when they stop hiding and start embracing every part of who they are.
Find Your Swagger represents a new chapter for Parkinson Canada—one rooted in positivity, visibility, and empowerment. With generous support from our donors, we were able to bring this vision to life and share it our powerful message from coast to coast.
Thanks to you, we’re helping people with Parkinson’s walk proudly, live fully, and write their own stories—with swagger.
Parkinson Canada takes over Toronto square for World Parkinson’s Day
On April 11th, the Parkinson’s community turned out in full force to dance, sing and connect with each other at Yonge Dundas Square in Toronto. Despite the pouring rain, people living with Parkinson’s and care partners showed up for the world premiere of a new song, Slow Emotion, by Martha and Company (led by Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins fame). It was a powerful moment that allowed so many to feel seen and heard in their journey with Parkinson’s.
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Your generosity by the numbers
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The teams shaping our vision
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