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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 5, 2004 CONTACT: Benjamin J. Kirby 202-842-4101 x103 [log in to unmask] PARKINSON'S ACTION NETWORK TO HOST RESEARCH AND EDUCATION & PUBLIC POLICY FORUM 11TH Annual Forum will bring Director of NIH, other leaders in science from across the country to Washington, DC February 6-8, 2005 (WASHINGTON, DC) - The Parkinson's Action Network (PAN) will be hosting hundreds of advocates and members of the Parkinson's community as well as several notable scientists and researchers from around the country to attend the 11th Annual Forum. The event, held at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington, DC, is Sunday, February 6th through Tuesday, February 8th, 2005. "This has been an active year for the Parkinson's disease community," said PAN Executive Director Amy Comstock. "My expectation is that this Forum will present an opportunity to share information about the breakthroughs we have seen and the future direction we will take in seeking a cure." The Research and Education Forum, an all-day session on Sunday, February 6, will feature a keynote address by Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, 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 patients. "We are excited and honored to have Dr. Zerhouni participate in our Forum. It presents a unique opportunity for our advocates to hear directly from the source the state of Parkinson's research at the NIH," said PAN Board Chairman Jeffrey C. Martin. On Monday, February 7th, events continue with the Public Policy Forum, featuring an advocacy training session, and a review of the PAN policy agenda. Said Comstock: "The dates of the Forum - at the beginning of the 109th Congress - are perfectly timed to present the needs of the Parkinson's disease community to our legislators." On Tuesday, February 8th - the final day of the Forum - advocates will go to Capitol Hill to meet with Senators and Representatives to discuss relevant Parkinson's disease funding and community issues. The Forum will close with the Louis Fishman Advocacy Awards Dinner at the Marriott. During the dinner, The Louis Fishman Award for Advocacy will be presented to Linda Herman. Linda is the PAN State Co-Coordinator for New York (upstate). The Murray Charters Award for Outstanding Service to the Parkinson's Community will be presented to Len Casavant. He is the State Co-Coordinator for South Carolina. Len hosts the radio program Travels With Parkinson's. More information about the PAN 11th Annual Forum can be found at: http://www.parkinsonsaction.org or by calling: (800) 850-4726. Established in 1991, the Parkinson's Action Network (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 more than one million Americans with Parkinson's disease. -- 30 -- Christy M. Hahn Assistant Director of Government Relations Parkinson's Action Network 1000 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 842-4101 ext. 109 800-850-4726 (202) 842-4105 Fax http://www.parkinsonsaction.org * * *Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]> Please place this address in your address book Please purge all others Web site: Parkinsons Resources on the WWWeb http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn