In this episode of When Life Gives You Parkinson’s, my wife Rebecca and I are talking with two leaders of Parkinson's organizations about the impact coronavirus has had on advocacy, collaboration, new programs. Karen Lee and Elizabeth “Eli” Pollard are true leaders with serious minds and senses of humor, and both are visionary when it comes to bringing the Parkinson community together with a purpose. 

Dr. Karen Lee took on the role of President and CEO of Parkinson’s Canada in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic. She’s taking the work-at-home mandate as a chance to meet and get to know her staff, advocates, and leaders of other organizations virtually, “We talk with all the various groups, look for opportunities, synergies, it's not about trying to compete and were not looking to duplicate efforts, but really looking for efficiencies and opportunities.” Parkinson Canada is also establishing a Parkinson Advisory Council to help inform decisions and make recommendations to the charity.

Eli Pollard, Executive Director of World Parkinson Coalition, would typically make 12 to 15 trips to various destinations as she plans for the World Parkinson Congress 2022 in Barcelona. With travel restricted by COVID-19, she has been busy creating new programs including a dual language webinar series where the same presenters host a webinar first in English and then thirty minutes later in Spanish.  She’s also just announced that May 17-21, 2021 is the inaugural VIRTUAL World Parkinson Congress, “We've been chewing on this idea for a long time and COVID sort of pushed our hand, which is great. So it would be sort of “year one” is the in-person Congress, “year two” and “year three” would be a virtual Congress. And so we're calling it WPC Virtual.” This year’s theme is advancing science care and living with Parkinson's. Their will be around 80 presenter's, with 5 tracks, but all the content for each day will be release at once for virtual attendees to watch it at their convenience. There will be live Q&A sessions 24 hours after each scheduled session. The WPC Virtual admission is $25.00, all inclusive.                                     

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Thank you to the following people featured in this episode:

Dr. Karen Lee – President and CEO of Parkinson Canada @Dr_KarenLee

Eli Pollard – Executive Director, World Parkinson Coalition #WPC2022

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s? You are not alone. Contact presenting partner Parkinson Canada http://www.parkinson.ca/, call the toll free hotline 1-800-565-3000 or on Twitter you can message @ParkinsonCanada

Thanks also to our content and promotional partners

The Michael J. Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast hosted by Larry Gifford

Spotlight YOPD – The only Parkinson’s organization dedicated to raising awareness for Young Onset Parkinson’s disease and funds for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust. 

PD Avengers - United to end Parkinson’s. Join us.

World Parkinson Congress 2022 –Make plans to join us for #WPC2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

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