Almost 30 years ago, a small group of people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners met in a garage to encourage and support each other on the journey. The Parkinson Association of Northern California grew out of those meetings and has continued to serve our community in a manner that no other organization does. We are a boots-on-the-ground service organization that provides resources and services to the growing number of local individuals and their family members who have received a Parkinson's diagnosis. The disease is unique to each individual so significant assistance and education is needed for all.
Today, our independent organization provides resources and support to 48 (and growing) regional Support Groups throughout Northern California. We also produce Parkinson's-specific programming including our popular annual educational conference that draws over 850 attendees for education, information, and inspiration. We maintain a website with information and resources of interest to the Parkinson's Community and we publish the 'Parkinson Path', a quarterly journal featuring original articles from local neuroscience specialists, physical therapists, mental health professionals and members of the Parkinson's Community. PANC also provides opportunities for care partners of individuals with Parkinson's to receive the much-needed respite, time to regroup, and replenish. In 2023, 80 families were allocated over 1600 hours through the Respite program.
Parkinson's diagnoses are estimated to double in the next 20 years. There is much work to be done and many, many individuals to help. Please join us in supporting PANC and its NorCal Parkinson's heroes