How Your Contribution Helps
Your Contribution Makes a World of Difference in the Quality of Life for Those Affected by Parkinson’s
How PDASD Helps Build Our Community
Nearly all of PDASD’s programs and services are provided at no or low cost to the patient or family; others, like the In-Home Respite Care Program, is partially subsidized. This is particularly important for seniors, others on fixed or low incomes, or those on permanent disability. If you live outside San Diego County, someone you know with Parkinson’s may benefit from the research being carried out because of PASD’s contributions to medical research programs. San Diego has many excellent research facilities, and numerous local researchers are working in the field of Parkinsonism to find new treatments that may help patients better manage their symptoms, and hopefully find a cure. Why Your Support is Needed
Our revenues come from individual gifts, bequests, foundation and corporate grants, and fundraising events. Major gifts are wonderful, but not common. It’s the small gifts added together that are the mainstay of our ability to provide a wide variety of services and up to date information to those we serve. Our 15 programs and services are supported by people like you, who give what they can in the knowledge that every little bit will make a real difference in the lives of San Diego County families living with the enormous challenges of Parkinson’s. PDASD received a beautiful letter from a woman in which she shared her Parkinson’s experience, the impact Parkinson’s has had on her family, and the difference PDASD has made in her life.
“I lost my husband Clifton to Parkinson’s seven years ago. I feel that I know what caregivers of Parkinson’s patients go through because I cared for my husband during all the years of his illness until his final time. I am grateful for all that the Parkinson’s Association does to help and give encouragement. After Clifton’s death, I resolved to fight Parkinson’s for the rest of my days. You have my continued support and I will encourage others to do the same.” – June B.
Accomplishments
Examples of how PASD’s family-focused, patient and family direct service programs directly assisted families in improving their quality of life:
• Support Groups: Monthly, over 220 patients and family members attended, benefiting from information and caring support. Also, 3 new groups were added this year, including a Spanish speaking group.
• In-Home Respite: Financially supported a record 8,386 hours of professional care, freeing the caregiver for a time of rest.
• Escorted Transportation: Provided and subsidized trips to doctors, support group meetings and educational programs for 70 families.
• Tremble Clefs Therapeutic Singing Group: Currently the two groups meet weekly to provide exercises to maintain and improve PD patient’s vocal abilities. The groups also held 62 free community concerts during the year.
PDASD is committed to ensuring that Parkinson’s families, professionals, and volunteers are knowledgeable and up-to-date on Parkinson’s research, resources, and treatments.
• Marion Brodie & Professional Parkinson’s Educational Conferences: 472 individuals attended these two dynamic symposia.
• Good Start Workshop: 73 people attended “Good Start” Workshops for those newly diagnosed.
• Educational Symposia: 59 family members attended the Financial & Legal Wellbeing Workshops which are designed to help deal with the significant financial and legal challenges presented by a chronic medical condition.
• Newsletters: Nearly 40,000 Parkinson Post newsletters were distributed, highlighting research, the latest information about treatments, and PDASD activities.
• PDASD.org: The PDASD website and our electronic newsletters provided 24-hour access to valuable resource material and information for families and professionals.
• Community Involvement: PDASD participated in 44 informational Health Fair events.
Examples of How Your Donation Helps Others
• $100: Helps support our Good Start Program, designed specifically for newly diagnosed Parkinson’s patients and their families.
• $250: Helps support research, and the production and distribution of information and educational packets explaining the latest treatment options and status of current medical research for 40 families dealing with the enormous challenges living with Parkinson’s.
• $500: Helps support our In-Home Respite Care Program, designed to assist caregivers with a much needed break from the rigors of care giving.
• $1,000: Helps support our county-wide network of Parkinson’s Support Groups where patients and families meet monthly in a caring environment offering community resources and educational programs.
These are just some of the ways your contribution helps improve the quality of life for others. Please remember, no donation is too small and every contribution is deeply appreciated.
You Can be Assured that PDASD Will Use Your Contribution Wisely
The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego is governed by a 17-member Board of Directors whose President is a retired school principal and educator, and the treasurer is a retired CPA. Accuracy of all financial disclosures and proper accounting of the use of funds is assured by our Budget, Finance, and Investment committees. In addition, a comprehensive financial audit is conducted on an annual basis by an independent auditor. This past fiscal year, 84 cents of every dollar donated was used on educational programs and patient/family services.
Please Consider Partnering With PDASD to Improve Quality of Life
Your investment helps support programs and services that improve the quality of life for families affected by Parkinson’s, and provides funding for medical research seeking more effective treatments and a cure.