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Dear Will I was on the committee for the first Parkinson Awareness (Week) in Canada It was in 1983 or 1984-- I could look it up in my files. At that time it was a "Week" and was held in September. It became April and a month soon after. I will try to answer some of your questions There have been several notes about Parkinson's Awareness Day or Month. Is this a national campaign? Local? A worldiwide campaign? A) In Canada it is both local and National. Most Parkinson groups plan special activities during this Month. I think it should be world wide. Is there some reason for a particular month or day? A) April was chosen because James Parkinson was born April 11 way back when. Is some particular organization or group of organizations pushing this? A) don't know about the USA. Here in Canada we try to make a lot of noise. APDA is talkimg about having local governmental entities proclaim April 11 as World Parkinson Disease Day? A) In Canada we Parkies move slowly. We need a month to get all our Awareness projects completed. But we do mark the special day. See last answer-- Is this a strictly APDA idea? A) No The Canadian PD Organizations have local and national personalities and officials proclaim April as Parkinsons Month. The Parkinson Society in the UK does the same. More questions: I can answer some of them 1. Is there any reason for this particular day? April 11 is the second saturday in April. There should be some reason for picking such a date...Dr. Parkinson's birthday, first time Ldopa used in human trials, or some other auspicious occasion. The idea would be far easier to sell with a reason for the date. A) Dr. Parkinson's birthday, is the answer 2. This is to be WORLD Parkinson Disease Day. Are foreign PD groups participating? A) Maybe we started it in Canada -- but I think it was the English Society 3. Is this a strictly APDA operation? From the letter I would gather that April 11 was set aside as World Parkinson Disease Day and that APDA is a participant. A) In Newfoundland Canada our first " April is Parkinsons Awareness Month" was proclaimed by the Mayor of St John's, the capital city, in 1988. We plan a month long series of events to promote awareness, understanding and fun Two examples--- 1 We arranged for a neurologist to address a business luncheon club on the topic of Parkinsons. 2 On April 11 our exercise class held a birthday party for Dr Parkinson---Decorations, balloons, prizes, birthday cake, and a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday. A good time was had by all. ++++++++++++++++++++++ Anne Rutherford Editor "Newfoundland Parkinson News" The Parkinson Foundation of Canada St John's Regional Chapter Newfoundland Canada