PAC Spotlights & Highlights
Coming Together for Parkinson’s: A Look Back at Our 11th Annual Signature Symposium
On September 6, 2025, the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC) proudly hosted its 11th Annual Caring for Parkinson’s – Caring for You / Signature Symposium in Charlotte, NC. The event welcomed more than 230 attendees, including people living with Parkinson’s, care partners, family members, healthcare professionals, and community supporters.
The day was filled with engaging sessions focused on living with and managing Parkinson’s disease, offering both practical knowledge and heartfelt encouragement. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from expert speakers, connect with others on similar journeys, and gather resources to support their day-to-day lives.
Feedback from participants reflected the warm and meaningful spirit of the event:
- “I was greeted with kind words and big smiles! “
- “It was an excellent, well organized, very well presented, very informative event. Very worthwhile.”
- “Thank you for all the work you do in support of persons with PD.”
PAC extends heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors, speakers, and attendees, whose support made this year’s symposium a success. Together, we continue to strengthen our community and provide hope, education, and empowerment for those impacted by Parkinson’s.
Save the Date!
We look forward to welcoming you to our 12th Annual Caring for Parkinson’s – Caring for You/Signature Symposium tentatively planned for September 19, 2026, in Charlotte, NC.
Tools for Your Journey: Education & Support Programs
Virtual Support Group
📅 Wednesday, October 1, 2025
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Online via Zoom
This interactive session features Monika Gross and Nina Reed, M.Ed, and is based on the Alexander Technique–inspired Partnering with Poise program from The Poise Project®. Learn practical skills to manage stress, support well-being, and navigate the challenges of long-term caregiving.
Medicare 101 Webinar
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Online via Zoom
Join us for a free webinar to learn the basics of Medicare. Lauren Heavner, Piedmont Regional Manager of SHIIP, will present the basics of Medicare including eligibility, enrollment, coverage options, costs, supplemental insurance, and available SHIIP resources. Following the presentation, there will be Q&A to have your Medicare questions answered, with all information provided at no cost and in a confidential, unbiased manner.
Wellness Wednesday
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Online via Zoom
Join us for October’s Wellness Wednesday for a free educational and interactive Zoom session focused on self-care, stress management, and overall wellbeing. This session is designed to help people with Parkinson’s, caregivers, family members, and community members proactively support their mental, physical, and emotional health. Stay tuned for details on the specific topic and speaker!
Did you miss one of PAC’s virtual programs? You can catch up anytime by visiting the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas YouTube Channel, where selected recordings are available to watch. Be sure to subscribe so you’ll be notified when new content is posted!
Need help registering for a program? Call us at 980-245-2786 or toll-free at 1-866-903-PARK (7275) — our team will be happy to assist you.
Find a Support Group
Living with Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. PAC offers support groups across the Carolinas for individuals with Parkinson’s and their care partners. These groups provide a safe and welcoming space to share experiences, learn from others, and build connections within the community.
To learn more about a group near you, call us at 980-245-2786 or email gschultz@parkinsonassociation.org.
Free Resource Hotline
Need answers or support? PAC’s Free Resource Line is here to help. Staffed by a PAC team member Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M., this service provides reliable information, local resources, referrals, and details about our cost-free programs.
Give us a call at 1-866-903-PARK (7275) or email pac@parkinsonassociation.org to connect with the support you need.
Get Moving with PAC: Movement Therapy Programs
Exercise and movement are powerful tools for living well with Parkinson’s. Regular participation can improve balance, flexibility, strength, and overall quality of life.
PAC is proud to sponsor a variety of exercise and movement therapy classes each month, designed to meet you where you are and keep you moving forward.
To join in, please contact the individual instructors listed below for class details and registration.
You can also explore the full list of PAC-sponsored exercise classes on our website.
Looking for even more options? Additional exercise programs are available throughout the Carolinas. Call 980-245-2786 or email gschultz@parkinsonassociation.org to learn more.
Disclaimer: We ask that you practice caution when participating in all programs, particularly exercise programs. Talk to your doctor about what program would be best for you, stay hydrated, exercise in a safe environment, move at your own pace, and try to exercise with a partner or an accredited instructor.
Make an Impact: Partnering with PAC
Make Every Step Count: Join Team PAC at the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
PAC is proud to be a charity partner for the 2025 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, November 15, 2025!
Through our Miles for Movement initiative, every step taken by Team PAC helps raise awareness and support for individuals and families living with Parkinson’s across the Carolinas. Whether you’re running the 5K, half marathon, or full marathon, your miles make a difference.
By joining Team PAC, you’re not only challenging yourself, you’re helping fuel programs, resources, and hope for the Parkinson’s community. It’s not too late to be part of the movement! Contact Charlie Godfrey, Development Director, at 980-245-2786 or cgodfrey@parkinsonassociation.org to join Team PAC or find out how you can support the cause.
Your Gift Today Transforms Lives Across the Carolinas
Your donation to the Parkinson Association of the Carolinas (PAC) gives people diagnosed with Parkinson’s hope, connection, and a support system to walk with them through their journey.
Every gift helps provide education, programs, and resources to support individuals and families living with Parkinson’s across the Carolinas. Together, we can help people stay active, independent, and empowered.
PAC's Mission in Motion
Hands-On Learning and Partnership: PAC Tours The Ivey
Last month, Joanna, Gillian, Charlie, and Jasmine had the wonderful opportunity to tour The Ivey in Charlotte! Founder and CEO Lynn Ivey and the PAC team shared their inspiring missions, exploring ways to work together to support people with Parkinson’s, their care partners, and families. Jenny Yopp even gave a hands-on demonstration of their brain gym activities!
The Ivey is a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with early memory or cognitive changes, offering programs to optimize brain health, promote memory wellness, and provide support for the whole family. Together, we’re learning, connecting, and growing to better serve our communities.
Photo provided by the Daniel Pointe Retirement Community , a senior living community managed by Resort Lifestyle Communities
Raising Awareness Across the Carolinas: Parkinson’s Education Comes to Daniel Pointe
Gillian Schultz, PAC Program Director, recently traveled to Charleston, SC to partner with the Daniel Pointe Retirement Community to offer a Parkinson’s Disease 101 educational class. The session provided an overview of Parkinson’s disease, including common symptoms, management strategies, and resources available to people living with the condition and their care partners.
Attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, connect with others in the Parkinson’s community, and gain practical tips for navigating daily life with Parkinson’s. By bringing these educational sessions directly to communities across the Carolinas, PAC continues its mission to raise awareness, empower individuals, and provide critical support to those affected by Parkinson’s disease.
PAC Connects with the Community at Rock Hill Senior Health Fair
On Thursday, September 25, PAC was proud to participate in the Rock Hill Senior Health Fair, bringing valuable resources and information to the local community. Joanna, Gillian, and Jasmine represented PAC, engaging with attendees to share insights about Parkinson’s Disease, available support programs, and ways the community can get involved.
The team provided educational materials, answered questions, and connected with seniors and care partners eager to learn more about living well with Parkinson’s. Events like this allow PAC to strengthen ties within the community and ensure that individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s have access to the resources and support they need.
PAC Staff Attends CLTivate Community 2025 Event
PAC staff members Joanna, Gillian, and Jasmine recently attended CLTivate Community 2025, hosted by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance in partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated and supported by SHARE Charlotte.
This free event brought together nonprofits, volunteers, and community partners to connect, share resources, and celebrate their work. PAC was proud to participate by sharing information about Parkinson’s Disease and our programs to support those living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
We are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness, build connections, and be part of such a meaningful community event.
Beyond the Carolinas: National Programs
In addition to PAC’s local programs, we’re excited to share these upcoming free virtual offerings from trusted national Parkinson’s organizations. Whether you’re curious about the latest research, looking for creative ways to stay active, or seeking tools for mindfulness and renewal, these sessions are designed to inform, inspire, and support both people living with Parkinson’s and their care partners.
Free Webinar: New Treatment Options for Progressing Parkinson’s Thursday, October 16, 2025 12:00 PM | Online
Learn more about medication management for people with Parkinson’s, including a focus on two infusion pumps recently approved by the FDA and explore strategies for managing symptoms and “off” time as the disease progresses.
Hosted by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Free Webinar: 60 Years Strong: The Older Americans Act and Its Legacy
📅 Wednesday, October 22, 2025
🕑 10:00 AM | Online
Learn more about the Older Americans Act and its impact on our communities during the “60 Years Strong: The Older Americans Act and Its Legacy” webinar, presented by Amy Gotwals from USAging.
Hosted by Centralina Area Agency on Aging
Parkinson's Community News
Staying informed is an important part of living well with Parkinson’s. Check out the latest research updates, innovative therapies, and opportunities to get involved in studies shaping the future of Parkinson’s care.
October Reminder: Stay Prepared During Hurricane Season in the Carolinas
October is still an active time for hurricane season in North Carolina and South Carolina, making it a crucial period to review disaster preparedness. For people with Parkinson’s disease, unexpected events like falls or medical emergencies can be especially complex, highlighting the need to travel with medications, device controllers, and key medical information. The author shares a personal near-disaster that underscored the value of preparation and encourages others with chronic conditions to develop good habits and emergency plans to stay safe. Read More
Celebrating National Physical Therapy Month
Every October, we honor National Physical Therapy Month to highlight the many ways physical therapy improves lives. Physical therapists, PT assistants, and students help people of all ages optimize movement, build strength, and maintain independence. This year’s theme emphasizes the role of PT in prevention, wellness, and resilience, supporting mobility and function so we can enjoy life to the fullest at any age. Read More
Parkinson’s Mobile App Expands to the U.S.
U.K.-based Neu Health is expanding its Parkinson’s and dementia tracking app in the U.S. through the Texas Medical Center Global Incubator Program, giving families and clinicians tools to monitor symptoms from home. The app uses smartphone sensors to track tremors, voice, memory, and movement, generating scores that help clinicians detect disease progression and adjust care plans earlier. This expansion, backed by FDA clearance for its tremor measurement tool, aims to improve neurological care and provide support to patients between clinic visits. Read More
Study Reveals How Protein Clumps Damage Brain Cells in Parkinson’s
Researchers have discovered that alpha-synuclein oligomers, protein clusters linked to Parkinson’s disease, form dynamic pores in nerve cell membranes, which may disrupt cell function and contribute to disease progression. Using innovative imaging techniques, the team observed how these oligomers bind, partially insert, and repeatedly open and close pores, particularly in membrane regions with certain lipid compositions. Understanding this process could lead to new strategies for blocking damage early, offering hope for future therapies to protect neurons in Parkinson’s. Read More
PERSEVERE Study Supports Care Partners of Those with Parkinson’s Dementia
The PERSEVERE study is testing a 12-week virtual educational program to help family care partners of people with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) strengthen their caregiving skills and knowledge. Learn more about this study and how to get involved on the PAC website. Read More
Exploring New Frontiers in Parkinson’s Research
The ARISE clinical trial, led by Cerevance and highlighted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, is seeking participants to help advance research into slowing Parkinson’s disease progression. Learn more about this clinical trial and participation opportunities on the PAC website. Read More
Connect with PAC Online
Where can I view Instagram Stories?
To view PAC’s stories, just tap on our profile photo – it’s a red and green tulip! If you like our story, you can send us a “heart” in the bottom right-hand corner!
Where can I view Facebook Stories?
Similar to Instagram Stories, content shared to stories will appear at the top of the Facebook News Feed. To view a story, users simply tap the Parkinson Association Logo circle at the top of the app (if it has a blue circle around it). While viewing a story, users can also reply with a direct message to let us know if you liked our story!
