Jamie Barrand | Nov 10, 2015

Parkinson's wellness initiative expands to Chicago, Tampa

The National Parkinson's Foundation (NPF) said Tuesday that Chicago and Tampa, Florida, will become the newest sites for the Edmond J. Safra National Parkinson's Wellness Initiative.

  

The initiative utilizes a medical and community partnership model to develop a support network at Jewish community centers (JCC) to improve the health and well-being of those living with Parkinson's disease.

NPF grants will fund the new sites at Jewish community centers in Chicago and Tampa. 

Programming, including Parkinson's-specific fitness classes, at the new sites will begin in January. The programs are open to the entire community, regardless of a participant's religious affiliation or medical condition.

NPF grants also will make it possible for NPF Centers of Excellence (COE) to be launched at Chicago's Northwestern University Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center and Tampa's University of South Florida Byrd Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center.

"Of the treatments available today, exercise remains the most promising way to try to slow the impact of Parkinson's," NPF Chief Mission Officer  Peter Schmidt said. "Our goal at NPF is to partner with leading community organizations to help ensure that people have access to safe and Parkinson's-appropriate exercise programs."

The Edmond J. Safra Parkinson's Wellness Program was launched in 2007 in New York City.

"JCC Chicago believes strongly in providing a foundation for lifelong health and wellness within the communities we serve," JCC Chicago Assistant General Director Todd Braman said.

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