Dale: From our standpoint, it would be most useful if you could reproduce your database onto a floppy disk or simply e-mail the file to me so that our Outreach folks can store it on computer for easy retrieval. Even though California has not yet received the 'full monty' we get a lot of calls from throughout the US, as I'm sure is the case with the other organizations. Also, I sincerly encourage you to conduct an annual update mailing to keep the information as useful and fresh next year as it is today. Best wishes for the holidays to all of my list buddies! Carole Cassidy -----Original Message----- From: Dale Severance [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, December 17, 1998 4:20 AM To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN Subject: National Database of PD Support groups by Dale Severance Some time ago I mentioned that I wanted to build a National Database of PD support groups for the use of the PD Community. As an update I now think that I have the largest database of PD Support Groups and the list grows daily. The list contains 1935 groups with 300+ additional names to add in. One of the biggest problems is that I started with lists from the PAN,NPF,APDA,PAT and other organizations,. It soon became apparent that there were duplicates and tripulates as we moved the lists into the databases. I mailed a letter to the first 1200 names to ask them to update there information and received about 600 of the responses returned with correcting information. Todate the base is functional, and about 75% accurate I expect. I still plan to make a special mailing to Calif and Mass groups because they have not received my attention yet. I will make this information available to any responsible PD interest that requests information. I will send a state report to any SG free of charge. I can make and send mailing labels for any state but would charge a nominal amount to cover the cost of purchasing the labels if you are requesting a state with a lot of groups. I would like to thank Robin Elliott of the Parkinson Disease Foundation in NYC for a grant of funds to help defray expenses. Thanks are also in order to the Ohio State Organization which has made a contribution to defray expenses and finally to the National Parkinson Foundation who offered manpower and information to update the base. Finally I would like to thank all who responded to my letteres and all the state leaders especially from APDA ranks who sent me their up todate state or regional lists. Now can any of you think of ways we can use this information for our collective bnefit? I invite your suggestions. Dale Severance