1. ProposedSenate Statement – Parkinson AwarenessMonth
Honourable Senators,
April 1st marksthe beginningof Parkinson’sAwarenessMonth,amonth-longcelebrationacrossCanada
to recognize CanadiansimpactedbyParkinson’sdisease.
Parkinson’sisadisease of the brainthat touchesalmosteveryaspectof dailyliving,including:
movement,mood,speech,eating,drinking,sleepandcognitive changes.Itisa progressive
neurodegenerativedisease. People withParkinson’sare directlyaffectedbycognitive impairmentand
dementia:40%of people withParkinson’sdisease experience thinkingandproblem-solvinglimitations;
and 50% experiencememorylimitations. There isnoknowncause orcure for Parkinson’sdisease.
Rightnowin Canadathere are over100,000 individualswithParkinson’sdisease. Parkinson’sisnota
normal part of agingbut the incidence doesincrease withage. 85% of Canadiansdiagnosedwith
Parkinson’sare overthe age of 65. By 2031, the Parkinson’spopulationinCanadaoverthe age of 40 is
expected toincrease by65%,while the numberof Canadians overthe age of 65 withParkinson’sdisease
will more thandouble.Withmore than10 people adaydiagnosedinCanada,chancesare you or
someone youknowwill be affected.
In recognition of ParkinsonAwarenessMonth,ParkinsonCanada will be raisingawarenessandfunds
across the countryto continue offeringhelpandhope to people livingwithParkinson’s. Parkinson
Canada offerseducation,supportandadvocacyforCanadiansimpactedbyParkinson’sdisease.Through
theirNational ResearchProgram,ParkinsonCanadahasinvestedmore than$25 millionintoresearch
makingthemthe largestnon-Governmentfunderof Parkinson’sresearchinCanada.
Parkinson’schangeseverything.Together we caninspire hope inourcommunityforabetterlife for
Canadians livingwithParkinson’stoday,andaworldwithoutParkinson’s,tomorrow.
Thank you.