Canada’s first specialist Parkinson’s facility set to help 8,000 patients

The first Canadian specialist Parkinson’s disease facility has opened its doors and promises to help approximately 8,000 patients.

The Buchanan Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, is the first facility of its kind to cater specifically people living with Parkinson’s disease. There are an estimated 8,000 Albertans living with the condition according to CBC news.

Edmontonian businessman Gordon Buchanan, after whom the centre is named, had Parkinson’s disease himself and donated CAN$4 million to build the centre. Sadly, he passed away almost exactly one year before its opening.

The centre’s expertise focuses on the physical and mental fitness of people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers. It has also now become the new home for Parkinson Alberta, the local Parkinson’s organisation.

Diane Buchanan, Gordon’s wife, said: “I think that he’d be very proud if he was here today to see this result and that people are feeling better.”