Year End Giving to Parkinson's Organizations - Twitchy Woman: My Adventures with Parkinson's

Year End Giving to Parkinson’s Organizations

Giving is not just about making a donation, it’s about making a difference
Kathy Calvin, CEO and President of The United Nations Foundation

Support Your Favorite Local Causes on Giving Tuesday - Only In Arkansas

Yes, it is that time of year again.

Giving Tuesday is next week on November 30 and I have already received numerous reminders from Parkinson’s organizations to give to them. So how do you decide who to give to and why?

Start Local

Let’s start with the local organizations. Is there a local organization in your community that supports people with Parkinson’s. If so, that should be a priority, especially if you are participating in any of their programs and support groups. These organizations are usually grassroots and need your support.

Do you attend local or online classes for People with Parkinson’s? Consider donating to them as well for the same reason. Many have struggled since the Pandemic began, offering classes on Zoom for a very small fee or for free.

National Organizations

There are many national and international organizations for Parkinson’s Disease. In an ideal world, we should support all of our national organizations, but given the limited resources many people with PD have, that may not be an option.

So how do you decide who to give to? There is some overlap in what many of them do, but each has its own niche. What are their missions? Do they provide something for you that you cannot get elsewhere? Do you volunteer for any of them?

Last summer I held two Sunday Morning with Twitchy Woman webinars devoted to learning about what the different organizations are and what they do. Representatives joined us from American Parkinsons Disease Association (APDA), Brian Grant Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation, Michael J Fox Foundation, Parkinson’s Foundation, PD Avengers, PMD Alliance and the European Parkinson’s Disease Association(EDPA). You can watch the recordings for July 11 and July 25 to hear what leaders of each organization had to say. You can also read my summary of the different organizations at Parkinson’s Organizations (August, 2021)

I hope that this helps you make some decisions about year end giving.

A Personal Thank You

Finally, thank you to everyone who participated in the Twitchy Woman T-shirt fundraisers this year. Your generosity and support during this past year has helped to keep all of the Twitchy Woman programs, webinars and this blog, free for everyone.

With much gratitude,

Sharon Krischer (Twitchy Woman)

No one has ever become poor by giving
Anne Frank

3 responses to “Year End Giving to Parkinson’s Organizations”

Nessa Barrad Weinman

November 21, 2021

Sharon, PCLA, Parkinson’s Community Los Angeles is also a local nonprofit serving the Parkinson’s community. I’ve been active in the Los Angeles Parkinson’s Community for about 20 years. I’ve worked with APDA, and have run 2 local support groups for many years. PCLA is focused 100% locally and provide many free services to the community. This organizations should definately be among those that you have chosen to highlight. Please check out https://pcla.org/

Reply
1. skrischer
  
  November 22, 2021
  
  Nessa, I only highlighted organizations with a national or international reach. I could not start listing local organizations because there are so many of them and it would be impossible to list all of them.
  
  Reply
  1. Nessa Barrad Weinman
    
    November 30, 2021
    
    Your blog did not just highlight national/international programs. your blog “Start Local
    
    Let’s start with the local organizations. Is there a local organization in your community that supports people with Parkinson’s. If so, that should be a priority, especially if you are participating in any of their programs and support groups. These organizations are usually grassroots and need your support.” That’s why I’m upset.

I’m Sharon

Welcome to Twitchy Woman.

I started Twitchy Woman as a way to exchange ideas and solutions with other whose lives have been affected. It has been recognized by Everyday Health, Healthline, Stanford University and more as one of the top Parkinson’s blogs to follow.

Feel free to explore the site – there are goodies on every page to help you live your best life with Parkinson’s Disease.

Twitchy Woman named to Top 50 Parkinson Influencer list

Thank you Feedspot for recognizing Twitchy Woman on this new list. Check it out here. Twitchy Woman is #44. I am amazed to be included with so many young onset people who actually know how to use Instagram and TikTok!

Join the fun!

Stay updated with our blogs and other information by joining our newsletter.

Youupport is Appreciated

Sunday Mornings with Twitchy Women

Sunday, May 31 @ 1:00 PM ET

Kristine Meldrum returns to talk about her new book for trainers. How to Build a PD Exercise Cocktail Plan: A Professional’s Companion Guidebook to Parkinson’s: How to Reduce Symptoms Through Exercise. Kristine has generously donated 6 books to give away that day (3 of each). Please encourage your trainers/physical therapists to join us for this important meeting.

Support Twitchy Woman

Shop on Amazon*

Do you need headphones for sleeping?

Do your air buds fall out while listening to a sleep meditation? Check out these Headphone Headbands. Click on either image to see what is available on Amazon.

A colorful headband featuring butterfly designs, shown in use by a woman exercising and another woman lying down, showcasing its versatility for fitness and relaxation.

*As an Amazon Associate, Twitchy Woman earns from qualifying purchases.

The latest video from Sunday Mornings with Twitchy Woman

Clinical Trials Corner

SEPTEMBER 2025

I’ve been hesitant to feature new clinical trials as a few that I had on my list to include in future columns have either been removed from the site or marked as withdrawn. Keeping my fingers crossed that the trials I feature continue to recruit and maintain their funding. Click here for the rest of the report from Jen

Thank You!

All Twitchy Women programs are free to all who participate. However, they are not without cost. It takes resources to continue our work and we cannot do it without your help. Through our partnership with the Parkinson’s Wellness Fund, those who want to provide support can do so. Thank you to all of you who have contributed. It is really appreciated.