Whether you have Parkinson’s Disease (PD) or you have a family member or friend with PD, it will benefit you to get involved in the Parkinson’s community. There are many ways to get involved in our area, including support group meetings, clinical trial participation, becoming an advocate, volunteering with PAC, or joining one of our Parkinson’s community action committees. Read more or hear what, board member, Robert McMillan has to say about getting involved!
Volunteer. Check our Volunteer Page for open positions for volunteers, ambassadors, board, and committee members.
Support Groups can be a source of education, friendship, and strength. Consider joining a support group or becoming a support group leader. Most support group leaders are community members who have been touched by Parkinson’s disease. Click here for more on Support Groups.
Speakers Bureau We are always seeking Parkinson’s community partners in North and South Carolina to join our Speaker’s Bureau. Our guest speakers host presentations on a variety of Parkinson’s disease (PD) related topics, such as understanding the condition, research updates, managing symptoms, available therapies and treatments, and sharing personal experiences. If you are interested in serving as a guest speaker, please click here to submit the Potential Speakers Interest Form online. You can also print and complete a PDF version of the form, and mail it to PAC’s office at the following address: 2101 Sardis Road North, Suite 102 Charlotte, NC 28227.
Download the Potential Speakers Interest Form
Clinical Trials are imperative to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Many with the Disease agree they would be willing to participate in research studies, but unfortunately, the majority of studies fail to recruit enough participants. Most people don’t realize the medication they are taking today is on the market because people volunteered to participate in the research process. Participating in clinical research studies will help discover more effective treatments and eventually a cure. Check out www.clincaltrials.gov, the National Institutes of Health, or the Fox Trial Finder to find a clinical trial near you.
Become a Parkinson’s Community Advocate. There are many ways to become an advocate for yourself and others. Advocate for research. Address women’s specific needs related to PD. Empower those who may be new to their diagnosis. Help legislate change. Whatever it may be, change begins with you!
Serve as a Board or Committee Member. PAC currently has four committees that are open to the public including Program Advisory Committee, Development, Finance, Marketing/Awareness. If you are willing to make an even larger impact on the work of our organization, you may want to consider becoming a member of our Board of Directors. Call us toll-free at 1-866-903-PARK (7275).
Organize a Fundraiser. Fundraising is one way you or your company can become an important part of the Parkinson’s community. In addition to participating in an event sponsored by PAC, you can also use your own creativity or the creativity of your colleagues and organize your own fundraiser or corporate event. We welcome your initiative and commitment to our cause! If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser and would like assistance from PAC, please contact PAC at 980-245-2786 or by e-mail at pac@parkinsonassociation.org.
Make a Donation. The Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC) relies upon the financial support of its individual donors, corporate sponsors, gift matching (List of Matching Gifts Program) and foundations in order to meet our mission. Financial contributions and other gifts help PAC to support people with Parkinson’s disease throughout North and South Carolina so that they can remain independent and stay active in the community, until a cure is found.
Share your Feedback. PAC’s mission is to serve, and in order to do our very best at serving our community we need your feedback! Give PAC a better understanding of who is in our community, and how we can better assist our community by completing a brief survey. Programs and Services Survey.
There are several ways in which you can assist PAC in meeting our mission. Please visit the Ways to Give page or Donate Online page to make a donation now.
“Don’t count the things you do, do the things that count.” – Zig Ziglar