National Parkinson Foundation and Parkinson’s Disease Foundation complete merger

New integrated organisation will be a “formidable and effective force in the fight against Parkinson’s”

Two of the biggest Parkinson’s organisations in the US, the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF), have completed their merger. They will now operate as a new organisation called Parkinson’s Foundation with offices in New York City and Miami.

John Kozyak, chair of the National Parkinson Foundation, said: “This merger is about the future and we are thrilled to have it completed. Millions of people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s. We owe it to them to move the science and care forward and the merger allows us to do just that even better. 

“We are driven by the perspective, needs and priorities of people living with the disease and, together, we will be a formidable and effective force in the fight against Parkinson’s.”

Parkinson’s Foundation has outlined the following three new focus areas:

1. Seeking a cure: We support promising scientific research by investing in individual and collaborative research and training projects as well as in an extensive network of research and medical centres in the United States and around the world.

2. Providing care and support: Until there is a cure, we remain focused on the care and wellbeing of people living with Parkinson’s today. This has always been, and remains, a hallmark of our leading research and educational work.

3. Championing a better future: To do all this, we will expand our advocacy and community outreach efforts to ensure that the response to this disease matches the urgent need.

Dr Michael Okun, co-administrator, Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration and NPF board member, said: “This merger will join two giants in the field, expanding the centre of excellence network, and enhancing the potential ability to fund more research in Parkinson’s disease.

“The NPF and PDF have both been premier organisations with amazing services for patients and families with Parkinson’s disease.  The merger will synergise efforts and hopefully bring increased services to the community.”