Happy 2024! As we look to the year ahead, we’re excited to offer more expansive opportunities to connect with the Parkinson’s community in Los Angeles and beyond.

This year will see more opportunities for in-person events, the annual LA Big 5K fundraiser (which can be done virtually!), and a targeted emphasis on support groups for men, women, care partners, and people living with YOPD.

Here’s everything to plan for the coming months and the year ahead!

LA Marathon Big5k Charity Run: March 16th

We’re less than two months away from one of our most anticipated fundraising events of the year!

The LA Marathon Big5k Charity Run takes place in Los Angeles Saturday, March 16th. But don’t worry if you’re not local or nervous about participating in person — you also have the option to participate virtually!

Here are three ways to participate in this year’s LA Marathon Big5k Charity Run:

1. Fundraise and Walk with Friends!

Create an account with the McCourt Foundation (organizers) so you can participate in the race and fundraise on behalf of PCLA.

Follow this link to fundraise & walk with friends!

2. Fundraise from Home!

Can’t make the live event? Create your account with the McCourt Foundation (organizers) so you can fundraise on behalf of PCLA without joining the in-person race. Keep in mind you can always walk in your own neighborhood!

Follow this link to fundraise from home.

3. Donate to PCLA!

Board members, support group leaders, friends, family, and members of the community will be crossing the finish line at this fitness-forward event.

Follow this link to donate to PCLA’s LA Big 5K fund!

The LA Marathon Big5k Charity Run is a family-friendly race that’s open to participants of all ages and abilities, including runners, walkers, and strollers.

Experience an iconic run through Los Angeles as you run through beautiful Elysian Park before a rewarding finish set against the backdrop of world-famous Dodger Stadium. All participants will receive a race shirt, finishers medal, post-race refreshments, and a truly unforgettable race experience.

We hope to “see” you there, whether in person or online!

Upcoming LTPs

The Let’s Talk Parkinson’s series continues to be one of our most valuable resources for sharing insights on cutting-edge Parkinson’s research. Our incredible sponsors, Acadia and Boston Scientific make the series possible.

It’s vitally important to us to continue the conversation in areas of PD research that are actively developing. As such, our goal is to host LTP events covering a range of topics relevant to our own community and the future of Parkinson’s disease.

We already have an excellent line-up for the next several months. Check back regularly on the website for the most updated schedule!

Highlights for 2024 so far include:

2/9: Intimacy & Parkinson’s

On February 9th, we’ll explore intimacy while living with PD with Dr. Kelly Rees.

Dr. Kelly Rees has studied intimacy, sexuality, communication, self-expression, and Tantra since 1997 and assisted Alan Lowen in the Body, Heart & Soul series for years. She began practicing yoga in 1971 and Transcendental Meditation in 1972.

In addition to her private practice, she offers workshops and classes on intimacy, sexuality, communication, boundaries, vulnerability, and presence.

Register for Intimacy & Parkinson’s here.

2/29: Parkinson’s Dystonia Symptoms, Manifestations, & Treatments

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Farzin Pedouim about recognizing and treating symptoms of PD dystonia.

Dr. Farzin Pedouim is a Board Certified Neurologist and former Assistant Professor of Neurology at Loma Linda University.

His medical team’s knowledge and expertise have made them a regional center for the treatment of movement disorders, where they strive to provide quality care and utilize the latest tools along with advanced medical practices to prevent movement disorders from taking control of your life.

Register for Parkinson’s Dystonia Symptoms, Manifestations, & Treatments here.

3/21: Environmental Risk Factors in Parkinson’s Disease

Dr. Ray Dorsey will lead a conversation about the environmental actors that have been linked to developing PD.

Dr. Dorsey is the David M. Levy Professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester. Dr. Dorsey is working to identify and eliminate the root causes of Parkinson’s disease.

His research on brain diseases and digital health has been published in leading academic journals and featured in multiple news outlets. In 2020, Dr. Dorsey and his colleagues wrote Ending Parkinson’s Disease, a book providing a prescription for ending the world’s fastest-growing brain disease.

Dr. Dorsey previously directed the movement disorders division and neurology telemedicine at Johns Hopkins and worked as a consultant for McKinsey & Company. In 2015, the White House recognized him as a “Champion for Change” for Parkinson’s disease.

Register for Environmental Risk Factors in Parkinson’s Disease here.

3/29: The Latest in Psychedelics Research and PD

Classical psychedelic substances like psilocybin have been enjoying a research renaissance for the promise they hold in supporting mental health.

Ellen Bradley, MD (Yale), is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF Weill Institute For Neurosciences. She is researching the effect of oral psilocybin therapy for depression and anxiety, and motor symptoms, in people with Parkinson’s (PWP).

Join us to learn about her latest findings!

Register for The Latest in Psychedelics Research and PD here.

5/3: New Research on Living with Parkinson’s as an LGBTQ+ Person

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tara L McIsaac on living with PD as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Dr. McIsaac has over 29 years of clinical experience treating adults with neurological conditions, focused in the recent 17 years on the neurodegenerative disorders of Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Dr. McIsaac’s research focuses on the interaction of attention and movement (multi-tasking) in older adults and people with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

Registration link coming soon!

2024 Support Groups

We are proud to host weekly, biweekly, and monthly support groups catering to different subsets of people with Parkinson’s disease. In 2024, we plan to emphasize further support for the men’s and women’s groups, care partners, and people living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease.

Access our regular support group schedule here.

Tell Us What You’d Like To See In 2024!

Are there specific topics, support groups, or areas of research relating to Parkinson’s disease you’d like to see highlighted by PCLA in 2024? Let us know!

Primarily, PCLA is here for you. We want to know which areas of PD are of the most interest and value to our PCLA community and are thrilled to adapt our offerings to meet your needs.

Send us an email at [email protected] with any thoughts or questions on programming for 2024 — we’re all ears!

Happy New Year! We look forward to another year of dedicated service to PCLA and the PD community.