PRESS RELEASE                                                            For Immediate Release

Oshawa - Since first being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in 2003, Pedro Hernandez has battled the disease quietly, without knowing the resources throughout the community that were available to him. On Thursday, his son Peter is hosting an event that he hopes will change that.

"There are hundreds of sufferers of PD around Durham region that are no different from my father. With a little understanding of what services and activities are available I believe that their quality of life can be improved immeasurably."

Peter decided to create this event after hearing Michael J Fox, undoubtedly the greatest champion of PD related issues, mention that "you get in your life very few chances to make a difference." With his father in mind, Peter set out to discover every resource available that is designed to assist people living with PD and to share this information in the 1st Annual ‘One-Stop' Parkinson's Event.

"The support from the local PD community has been amazing and our list of speakers is impressive and wide ranging. Even leaders in the field who could not attend in person will be participating via Skype"

Dr. Mark Guttman (neurologist and Parkinson's specialist) was going to attend via the Ontario Telemedicine Network (www.otn.ca) to demonstrate how healthcare can now be delivered almost anywhere in Ontario. Unfortunately, response to this event has been so great that even the largest classroom at Lakeridge Health Oshawa where the OTN can be used is not large enough to accommodate the number of attendees. As a result, Dr. Guttman will be delivering his presentation using Skype.

"While I am blown away by the support I have received from the local PD community, I am even more grateful that this exercise has encouraged my father to begin taking exercise classes designed for sufferers of PD. My only hope for Thursday is that some of the information presented will improve the quality of his life, or the life of anyone with this disease.

The event will take place Thursday February 5th, 2009 in the 2nd floor Lecture Hall at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Region Cancer Centre, 1 Hospital Court, Oshawa. Admission is free.

See attached brochure for list of topics and confirmed guest speakers. More to be included.

All media inquiries to be directed to Stuart Smith.

stuart@stuartsmith.ca
(905) 728-1600
(905) 442-2627

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