LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport resident Phil Myers joined members of the Parkinson’s disease community from across the country in Washington, D.C. for the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) Forum Feb. 25-27.
Myers recently was appointed and trained as a Parkinson’s research advocate for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
“The PAN Forum was an incredible opportunity to join forces with other advocates from across the country and have our voices heard in Washington,” Myers said. “I am excited to represent the people of Lake County in our nation’s capital, and am working hard to make a difference for people with Parkinson’s and their families.”
At the PAN Forum, people living with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers, scientists and researchers, and others working toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s came together in the nation’s capital to hear updates on the latest Parkinson’s disease research and learn about what role the federal government plays in Parkinson’s research.
They also attended grassroots advocacy workshops to learn how they can best educate lawmakers on issues important to the Parkinson’s community and met with members of Congress and their staff to talk about ways in which the government can support efforts to find better treatments and a cure, as well as improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.
During the forum, Myers worked work with a team of advocates from California and met with Congressman Mike Thompson’s staff as well as Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s staff and Sen. Barbara Boxer’s staff to share information and updates about Parkinson’s disease, biomedical research funding and jobs in California and to specifically ask for their vote on certain issues that matter to people with Parkinson’s and their families.
The Parkinson’s Action Network is the unified voice of the Parkinson’s community advocating for better treatments and a cure.
In partnership with other Parkinson’s organizations and our powerful grassroots network, PAN educates the public and government leaders on better policies for research and an improved quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.
For more information, visit www.parkinsonsaction.org .
The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy. Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $96 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and over $40 million to support national education and advocacy initiatives for more information, go to www.pdf.org .