Parkinson's Awareness Month Together, we can break down barriers to Parkinson’s care. #LimitlessParkinsonsCare Raise your voice Add your perspective and help shape the future of Parkinson’s care in Canada. Join a roundtable discussion. Join the discussions Share your story on social Use our social media toolkit to spread awareness and amplify your experience. Share your story Celebrate the community Read and share powerful stories from people living with Parkinson’s. Read the stories This April, take action and help make a difference. Across Canada, thousands of people with Parkinson’s face long wait times, fragmented services, and unequal access to specialists, medications, and advanced treatments. Where you live shouldn’t determine how you live. This April, Parkinson Canada is calling for equitable, coordinated, and continuous Parkinson’s care—for everyone. Care shouldn’t depend on your postal code Across the country, access to Parkinson’s care varies drastically depending on geography, income, and available resources. 1-5 years Many people living with Parkinson’s in Canada report waiting between one and five years for a diagnosis. Half the treatment options Canada has approximately half the approved Parkinson’s medications available in the U.S. Not available everywhere Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) isn’t available in the territories, PEI, or Newfoundland. Even where it does exist, long waits and travel create major barriers. $3.3 billion The total cost of Parkinson’s in Canada in 2024 is projected to reach $4.4 billion by 2034.¹ 90% of costs are borne directly by people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.¹ 53% of people with Parkinson’s surveyed had to stop working or retire earlier than planned.¹ Human stories Meet Kathy A writer and professor whose life changed at 63 when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The barrier Kathy’s Parkinson’s symptoms appeared suddenly, but it took 18 months to receive a diagnosis. Living on Salt Spring Island means long travel days to see a neurologist, and the care she received rarely acknowledged how Parkinson’s can affect women differently. The impact The delays left Kathy feeling that her urgent symptoms weren’t treated with the urgency they needed. Parkinson’s also began to impact the cognitive stamina she relied on for creative writing—an important part of her identity. The hope Kathy believes sharing her story can help challenge stereotypes about who Parkinson’s affects—and bring greater awareness to the barriers many people face in getting care. She hopes it encourages a deeper understanding of women’s experiences with Parkinson’s. The vision Kathy hopes for a future where Parkinson’s care is timely, accessible, and responsive to people’s real experiences—a vision that includes better access to specialists and care that recognizes the unique needs of women living with Parkinson’s. Read Kathy’s full story Learn more about Kathy’s journey and how she continues to live with purpose while navigating Parkinson’s. Read the full story → ← Previous Next → Meet David A lifelong humanitarian, athlete, and grandfather who continues to embrace creativity and connection while living with Parkinson’s. The barrier When David first noticed symptoms while at his winter home, his initial virtual medical appointment didn’t lead to a clear path toward a Parkinson’s assessment. Instead, receiving a proper evaluation meant waiting until he returned to Vancouver to see a specialist. The impact The uncertainty before diagnosis was unsettling, and living with Parkinson’s now requires careful planning around fatigue, stiffness, sleep, and medication schedules. Some physical changes have also meant adjusting how he approaches activities that once defined him. The hope David shares his story to challenge stereotypes and remind others that people with Parkinson’s continue to live full, meaningful lives. He believes connection and learning from others living with the condition can help make their journey less isolating. The vision David hopes for a future where people experiencing early symptoms can access the right expertise and clear answers quickly. Timely care and greater awareness can help people with Parkinson’s adapt sooner and continue pursuing what matters most to them. Read David’s full story Learn more about David’s journey and how he continues to live with purpose while navigating Parkinson’s. Read the full story → ← Previous Next → Meet Joey A determined young person living with genetic Parkinson’s whose resilience—and his family’s advocacy—are helping redefine what living with the condition can look like. The barrier Joey’s symptoms began at just five years old, but it took years of tests before doctors confirmed genetic Parkinson’s and dystonia at age eight. Accessing the specialized care he needed meant repeated travel to Toronto, creating significant financial and logistical strain for his family. The impact The long search for answers and frequent medical appointments meant Joey missed nearly a full year of school. Simple daily tasks became exhausting, and his childhood was shaped by uncertainty and the challenge of navigating complex care. The hope When Joey became the first person under 18 to receive DBS for Parkinson’s at SickKids, it marked a turning point. Since then, his voice has strengthened, his independence has grown, and he’s beginning to imagine new possibilities for his future. The vision Joey and his family hope for a future where earlier diagnosis and specialized care are easier to access for young people with Parkinson’s. Greater awareness and support can help ensure that families don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Read Joey’s full story Learn more about Joey’s journey and how he continues to live with purpose while navigating Parkinson’s. Read the full story → ← Previous Next → Meet Elizabeth A registered nurse, author, and grandmother who spent her career caring for others before Parkinson’s unexpectedly became part of her own life. The barrier Elizabeth first noticed a tremor in her leg and was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 68 after being referred to a movement disorders clinic. While she was fortunate to live close to specialized care, many others face long waits for referrals, assessments, and advanced treatments like DBS. The impact As her symptoms progressed, medication helped but didn’t fully control her tremors and eventually limited activities she loved. The uncertainty and progression of symptoms made daily life more challenging while she navigated the path toward further treatment. The hope At 73, Elizabeth underwent DBS surgery, and after months of recovery and careful programming, she began to regain strength and confidence. With the support of her care team and community resources, she found new stability and a renewed sense of possibility. The vision Elizabeth believes experiences like hers should not depend on geography or luck. Everyone living with Parkinson’s should be able to access specialized care and life-changing treatments when they need them. Read Elizabeth’s full story Learn more about Elizabeth’s journey and how she continues to live with purpose while navigating Parkinson’s. Read the full story → ← Previous Next → Meet Dr. Sarah Lidstone A neurologist and movement disorder specialist working to help people with Parkinson’s live well through personalized, holistic care. The barrier For many people, the path to a Parkinson’s diagnosis is a long and confusing one, especially when early symptoms don’t look “typical.” Patients may spend years moving between appointments for issues like depression, pain, or muscle strain before anyone connects the dots. The impact This long period of uncertainty can leave people feeling frightened and unsupported while their symptoms progress. When they finally receive a diagnosis and care plan, many feel relief simply from having answers and a clear path forward. The hope Dr. Lidstone is helping develop a new clinic model that provides newly diagnosed patients with a specialized assessment and a clear, personalized care plan. The approach focuses on the whole person, connecting medical care with rehabilitation, education, and community support. The vision She envisions a system where people receive timely diagnoses and coordinated care—without years of uncertainty. With the right models and partnerships in place, people with Parkinson’s can access the support they need to live well, wherever they live. Read Sarah’s full story Learn more about Dr. Lidstone’s work. Read the full story → ← Previous Next → How Parkinson Canada is closing the gaps 🏛️ Advocating for the future of care We work with all levels of government to advance better models of care and close regional gaps. 🤝 Providing direct support Our dedicated support team answers calls and emails, offering personalized guidance and a listening ear. 🔎 Connecting you through CareFinder Parkinson Canada’s CareFinder helps people access Parkinson’s-informed health professionals and wellness programs across the country. 💡 Investing in new models of care We explore innovative approaches that improve early diagnosis and deliver more coordinated, continuous support. Better care is possible. Let’s make it a reality. Community updates Parkinson’s IQ + You – Calgary June 6 • Calgary Join this free event to empower people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners through expert sessions, practical tools, and connections to local resources. Register now Spark the Night April 11 • Anywhere Join communities across the world for World Parkinson’s Night and help raise awareness and support. Be part of the movement April Walking Challenge April 1–30 • Virtual Take part in the 50 km challenge and help raise funds for people living with Parkinson’s in Canada. Take the challenge Stand Up to Parkinson’s April 11 • Anywhere Join a global movement using exercise to help slow Parkinson’s progression. Stand Up to Parkinson’s SuperMom May 10 • Vancouver | Calgary | Toronto Take part this Mother’s Day in a 5 km walk/run to honour women affected by Parkinson’s, raise awareness, and support vital programs and research. Register for SuperMom Champions in Motion April 13 • Toronto This month, we are celebrating the impact of our most dedicated supporters and their contributions to advancing Parkinson’s care across Canada at this exclusive event. Be part of the change. Together, we can create a future where access to Parkinson’s care doesn’t depend on where you live. Join the discussion → Share your story → Read the stories → Suggested Resources Living better with Parkinson’s What is Parkinson’s Parkinson support line References The Economic Burden of Parkinson’s in Canada 2024 Back to top