Parkinson Research Foundation – The Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF), a non-profit organization with a dedicated patient education program, will return to the Western Caribbean for its fourth educational cruise. PRF developed its educational cruise program to give Parkinson patients, caregivers family and loved ones unrivaled access to experts in the movement-disorder field.
After visiting the Bahamas and Alaska on the first two respective PRF cruises, PRF’s ventured to the Western Caribbean on its most recent cruise in January 2011. PRF Executive Director Brian Curro confirms that the Western Caribbean will be the destination yet again in 2012.
“When we first debuted the cruise program, we didn’t want to be overambitious. We were very concerned with the comfort of our patients, so we limited the initial cruise to a three-day weekend in the Bahamas. Cruise participants continue to make it very clear to us that they desire a longer cruise.” said Curro.
“PRF cruises have progressively become longer, at the request of the patients. The seven-night Western Caribbean cruise provides the extended itinerary our cruisers want,” Curro added, “Besides, a visit to the Caribbean is an ideal January cruise for obvious reasons; besides, where else would you want to be in the middle of winter?”
PRF will return to the Western Caribbean on the upcoming educational cruise scheduled for Janaury 2012. Cruisers will set sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas to embark on a seven-night Western Caribbean adventure from January 8-15, 2012. Scheduled port visits include Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Mexico.
Each PRF cruise boasts a unique faculty of movement disorder specialists. These physicians, clinicians and therapists cover a wide range of topics related to Parkinson’s including nutritional advice, physical therapy workshops, and the latest scientific advances happening in the movement disorder field.
Cruisers form meaningful connections, travel, and experience exciting new adventures, in addition to becoming educated on therapies and treatments designed to improve Parkinson patient quality of life.
“After three successful Parkinson educational cruises, we firmly believe this program provides a special opportunity for those affected by PD to learn how to manage the disease more effectively,” said PRF Chairman Larry Hoffheimer, “Our cruises deliver a unique accessibility to a wide-range of PD specialists – one that is not easily replicated on land!”
The 2012 Western Caribbean cruise program will include presentations by prominent Parkinson’s disease physicians and clinicians, including Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos, Mary Spremulli, Dr. Thomas Chase, Dr. Kathleen Clarence-Smith, Bill Guthrie, Eman Nakshabendi, etc. Patients, caregivers and loved ones will participate in support group meetings, exercise classes and wellness seminars. Cruisers will also have multiple opportunities to address the cruise faculty in an open forum panel discussion.
For more information, contact PRF directly by calling (941) 870-4438. Visit PRF online at www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org.
The Parkinson Research Foundation (PRF) is a nonprofit health organization providing Parkinson’s patients with access to research, education, information and advocacy. PRF distinguishes itself from other Parkinson organizations by focusing on education and awareness, not only for patients, but also for their families and caregivers. PRF explores a variety of issues affecting the care and treatment of Parkinson’s disease, with a goal of bringing new advances in treatment to the forefront, making this knowledge available through seminars and conferences. The money raised by PRF funds research, information programs, and advocacy/awareness efforts that will support the over one million people with Parkinson’s disease in communities across America.
Parkinson Research Foundation
