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Invitation to the 10th ANNUAL PAN FORUM On Sunday, March 28 through Tuesday, March 30, 2004, the Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) will host our 10th Annual Forum. The Research and Education Forum & Public Policy Forum brings advocates in the Parkinson’s community from across the country to discuss the latest in science and research as well as what is happening legislatively. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join us for what promises to be an informative and exciting event. PAN is the unified education and advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s community, fighting for a cure. Through education and interaction with the Parkinson’s community, scientists, policy and opinion leaders, and the public at large, PAN advocates for increased and accelerated investment of public resources to ease the burden and bring a cure to the one million Americans who have Parkinson’s disease. The Forum will feature discussions on emerging therapies for Parkinson’s disease from some of the leading scientists in the country. We will also facilitate a discussion on the status of federal program funding for Parkinson’s disease research. Attendees will also participate in an interactive demonstration of a specialized exercise session for people with Parkinson’s and a voice treatment session. On March 30, the final day of the Forum, advocates will meet with Senators and Representatives to discuss Parkinson’s disease research funding – particularly on the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs budgets – as well as the provocative issue of legislative action on stem cell research. I hope that representatives of your organization can register and attend the Forum. For your information, I have attached a detailed Forum Agenda. If you have any questions, please contact our Communications Director, Benjamin Kirby, at 800-850-4726, or visit our website: http://www.parkinsonsaction.org Sincerely, Amy L. Comstock, Executive Director * * * PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 18, 2004 CONTACT: Benjamin J. Kirby 202-842-4101 [log in to unmask] PARKINSON’S ACTION NETWORK WILL HOST 10TH ANNUAL FORUM Research and Education Forum & Public Policy Forum will bring leaders in science, advocates from across the country to Washington, D.C. (Washington, D.C.) – The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) has invited advocates, scientists, researchers and members of the Parkinson’s community from around the country to attend the 10th Annual Forum, Sunday, March 28 through Tuesday, March 30. The event will be held at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington, D.C. “I am sure that this will be the most productive Forum to date,” said PAN Board Chairman Jeffrey C. Martin. “I’m looking forward to hearing about the progress that is being made through federal research towards a cure.” The Research and Education Forum, held Sunday, March 28, will feature a scientific overview of Parkinson’s disease research, a briefing on the funding of federal programs, and a discussion of emerging therapies for Parkinson’s disease. The keynote speaker at the luncheon held that day will be Dr. Story C. Landis, Director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Landis will discuss the status of Parkinson’s disease research initiatives and activities at NINDS with the participants. On Monday, March 29, events continue with the Public Policy Forum, featuring an advocacy training session, a review of the PAN Action Agenda, an exercise session for Parkinson’s patients with John Argue and the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. The featured speaker that day will be PAN President Joan I. Samuelson, who will discuss advocacy and its impact on public policy issues relating to a cure for Parkinson’s disease. “The Forum promises to be an important time for Parkinson’s advocacy,” said Samuelson. “I hope to not only see many old friends there, but new faces as well. Together, we’re going to make a difference and find a cure for this terrible disease.” On Tuesday, March 30 – the final day of the Forum – advocates will go to the Capitol to meet with Senators and Representatives to discuss relevant Parkinson’s disease funding. The event will close with the Louis Fishman Awards Dinner at the Marriott. During the dinner, awards will be presented to Michelle Lane of Louisiana and Murray Charters of British Columbia, Canada. Lane, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in June of 2000 at age 32, will receive the Louis Fishman Advocacy Award for her outstanding work as the PAN Louisiana State Coordinator. Charters, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1994 at age 49, will receive the first annual Award for Outstanding Service to the Parkinson’s Community. “This Forum is perfectly timed to take place just before the start of April, Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month,” said PAN Executive Director Amy L. Comstock. “I hope that our advocates will be able to take the information from this important event back to their communities and continue our fight for a cure.” More information about the PAN 10th Annual Forum can be found at: http://www.parkinsonsaction.org or by calling: (800) 850-4726. Founded in 1991, PAN is the unified education and advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s community—over one million Americans and their families. Through education and interaction with the Parkinson’s community, scientists, lawmakers, opinion leaders, and the public, PAN fights for a cure by increasing awareness about Parkinson’s disease and seeks increased federal support for Parkinson’s research. For more information on the Parkinson’s Action Network, please visit http://www.parkinsonsaction.org or call 1-800-850-4726. SOURCE: The Parkinson's Action Network http://www.parkinsonsaction.org/whatwedo/forum.htm * * * 10th ANNUAL PAN FORUM Research and Education Forum And Public Policy Forum Schedule & Related Events MARCH 28-30, 2004 Marriott Metro Center 75 12th Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 Saturday, March 27 Early Registration at Hotel 12:00 – 6:00 pm (Briefing books and schedules to be provided) State and Congressional Coordinator Training 1:30 – 5:00 pm State and Congressional Coordinator Appreciation Dinner 7:00 pm - - - Sunday, March 28 Research and Education Forum - - - Monday, March 29 Public Policy Forum - - - Tuesday, March 30 Public Policy Forum - - - Tuesday, March 30 Louis Fishman Advocacy Awards Dinner 7:00 pm at Marriott Metro Center *Please note that the schedule is full and attendance for all panels is not mandatory. - - - RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FORUM SUNDAY, MARCH 28 “Real Breakthroughs for Patients” 8:00 – 9:00 am ... Continental Breakfast /Registration at Hotel Briefing books and schedules provided 9:00 – 9:15 am ... Welcome and Introduction Jeffrey C. Martin, PAN Board Chair Overview of Research and Education Forum Amy L. Comstock, PAN Executive Director Overview of Program 9:15 – 10:15 am ... Scientific Overview Panel Moderator: Jeffrey C. Martin, PAN Board Chair Greg Gerhardt, Ph.D., University of Kentucky John Hardy, Ph.D., National Institute on Aging Q&A 10:15 – 10:45 am ... Break 10:45 – 11:45 am J. William Langston, M.D., Parkinson’s Institute Ronald McKay, Ph.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Q&A 12:00 – 12:45 pm ... Box Lunch Introduction by Joan I. Samuelson, PAN President Keynote speaker: Dr. Story Landis, Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 12:45 – 1:00 pm ... Break 1:00 – 2:30 pm ... Emerging Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease Moderator: Jeffrey C. Martin, PAN Board Chair Panel: Dr. Roger Perlmutter, Amgen, Inc. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Aderis Pharmaceuticals Q&A 2:30 – 3:00 pm ... Break 3:00 – 4:30 pm Breakout 1: Federal Programs Supporting Parkinson’s Research Moderator: Joan I. Samuelson, PAN President Panel: Lt. Col. Brian Lukey, U.S. Department of Army, Medical Research and Materiel Command James Joseph, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Agriculture William Marks, Jr., M.D., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Breakout 2: Federal Programs Supporting Parkinson’s Research at NIH Moderator: Amy L. Comstock, PAN Executive Director Panel: Diane Murphy, Ph.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Nancy Pearson, Ph.D., National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine Cindy Lawler, Ph.D., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Richard Nakamura, Ph.D., National Institute of Mental Health Q&A 5:30 – 7:00 pm ... Reception at Hotel Cash Bar and light food Forum participants on their own for dinner. Please see Tab _ in your Forum book for restaurant suggestions. - - - 10th ANNUAL PUBLIC POLICY FORUM Monday, March 29 8:00 – 8:45 am ... Continental Breakfast 8:45 – 10:30 am ... Advocacy Training Session and Role-Playing Advocacy Guru Stephanie Vance Q&A 10:30 – 11:00 am ... Break 11:00 – 11:45 pm ... 2004 Action Agenda Amy L. Comstock, PAN Executive Director John Rogers, PAN Board Member Q&A 11:45 – 12:45 pm ... Box Lunch Keynote speaker: Joan I. Samuelson, PAN President 12:45 – 1:30 pm ... Teams meet to coordinate Hill visits for following day 1:30 – 2:00 pm ... Break 2:00 – 3:15 pm Breakout 1: Spotlight on Clinical Trials Moderator: Robin Elliott, PAN Board Member Panel: Jorge Juncos, M.D., Emory University (Chinese exercise modalities) Bernard Ravina, M.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Neuroprotection) Jayaraman Rao, M.D., Louisiana State University School of Medicine (Deep Brain Stimulation) Matthew Menza, M.D., Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Depression) Q&A Breakout 2: State Stem Cell Overview Opening Remarks by moderator: Neil Cohen, Assemblyman, New Jersey Panel: Ann-Jeannette Campbell, California advocate Richard Schmidt, New Jersey advocate Patrick Kelly, BIO 3:15 – 3:30 pm ... Break 3:30 – 4:30 pm Breakout 1: Spotlight on Caregivers Moderator: Mort Kondracke, PAN Board Member Panel: Gladys Gonzalez-Ramos, M.S.W. Marge Thurin, M.S.W. Ruth Hagestuen, R.N., National Parkinson Foundation Breakout 2: Exercise Session with John Argue Breakout 3: Lee Silverman Voice Treatment “A Voice that Can Be Heard” Presentation by Dr. Lorraine Ramig and Dr. Cynthia Fox 4:30 – 5:00 pm ... Staff available for Q&A - - - 10th ANNUAL PUBLIC POLICY FORUM Tuesday: March 30 8:00 – 9:00 am ... Continental Breakfast Anne Udall, Raul Yzaguirre, PAN Board Members Keynote Speaker: Rep. Mark Udall (Members of Congress including Congressional Working Group invited) Logistics for the day Review advocacy message Q&A 9:00 am ... Begin boarding buses to Capitol Hill 9:15 am ... Depart Hotel 9:45 am ... Buses arrive on Capitol Hill 10:15 – 1:00 am ... U.S. Senate Hill Visits 1:00 – 2:00 pm ... Senate Lunch Distinguished Speakers: Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Gordon Smith (Members of Congress including Congressional Working Group invited) 902 Hart Senate Office Building 2:00 – 3:30 pm ... U.S. House Hill Visits 4:00 pm ... Group picture at Capitol 4:45 pm ... Buses depart Capitol Hill for Hotel 5:00 pm ... Optional debriefing at hotel 6:30 pm ... Cash Bar 7:00 pm ... Louis Fishman Advocacy Awards Dinner Distinguished Speakers: Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Lane Evans, Fred Upton (Members of Congress including Congressional Working Group invited) # # # # ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn