Wisconsin Parkinson Association

Thank you for visiting!

We’ve created this website to provide more information for patients with Parkinson disease, their caregivers, families and friends and others who want to know more about this debilitating and complicated illness that affects more than 1.5 million Americans. More than 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

This is a secure, interactive website that allows you to make donations, special gifts and memorial contributions, pay your membership dues and make reservations for WPA events and workshops – all online. You can do so with complete confidence that the information you provide is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure (see our Privacy Policy).

JOIN US IN WELCOMING OUR NEW DIRECTOR!

Jay Blankenship has joined the Regional Parkinson Center as Director of WPA and Director of Philanthropy for PRI. As a former Senior Philanthropy Officer at Aurora Health Care he has worked closely with both the WPA and PRI staff in raising money and assisting with event planning. It has been my pleasure to work with Jay the last few years; he truly understands the goals of both organizations and is familiar with the donors and board members.

In this newly defined position, Jay is working with the WPA Board of Directors to determine strategic direction for the organization. He assists with board development, financial management, fund development, membership recruitment and coordination, and public relations. Blankenship’s role with PRI is focused on creating and coordinating a campaign to raise funds to grow and stabilize the research institute.

Prior to his role with Aurora, Jay was the former Executive Director of the Humane Animal Welfare Society and COA Youth & Family Centers. He is a native of Madison Wisconsin and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point and his Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He lives with his wife in Shorewood and is the father of two adult daughters and the grandfather of two grandchildren.

New Items Available For Purchase
CD To Benefit Parkinson Disease Research & Education
$17.00 each plus $3.00 shipping and handling
In 2001, William Barnewitz, principal French Horn player with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra was diagnosed with Parkinson disease. As a way to raise funds for Parkinson disease, he recorded a CD, The Long Road Home featuring the music of Bach, Brahms, Kreutzer, Mozart, Strauss and Schubert. This glorious recording features multiple Grammy winners and artists from some of the world's great opera houses, symphony orchestras and concert stages. Help benefit Parkinson disease research and education by purchasing a copy of this CD today.

Parkinson Disease Awareness Lapel Pin
$5.00 each plus $1.25 shipping and handling
This stylized pin was designed by Karen Painter, a young-onset individual with Parkinson disease. The red tulip is the symbol of Parkinson disease and the petals form the letters PD.

"Parkinson Awareness" Bracelets
$3.00 adults 8", $2 kids 6" plus $1.25 shipping and handling

Contact Jackie at 414-219-7061 or by email at jackie.hoeft@aurora.org to order your CD, pin and bracelet today!

Parkinson Contraindicated Drug Card

The WPA would like to remind individuals with Parkinson disease to carry a contraindicated drug card with them at all times. This card contains a list of medications that could worsen the symptoms of the disease and therefore cannot be given to a patient. Every patient with Parkinson disease should have a list of these agents available for their physician's reference. If you would like to have one sent to you, contact Jackie at 414-219-7061 or by email at jackie.hoeft@aurora.org.

You’re Not Alone – Join a Support Group!

Throughout our five-state region are dozens of support groups where you’ll meet other patients with Parkinson disease and their families. These meetings not only feature speakers from a variety of professions but also provide a wonderful social environment to get to know people who fully understand the issues you face. On this list of support and exercise groups of the Wisconsin Parkinson Association are the dates, times and locations of the meetings in your areas plus the names, telephone numbers and email addresses of the group facilitators. You can also, of course, contact the WPA office for information – 414-219-7061 or 1-800-972-5455.

Exercise Is Vital to the Well-Being for People with PD!

The WPA is working with Dr. Terry Steffen, an educator, physical therapist and WPA Board member, to establish exercise programs specifically for persons with Parkinson disease. Dr. Steffen is also conducting research that measures the positive impact of specialized exercise routines on balance, coordination and movement. Participants in the WPA exercise programs are exuberant and optimistic, many like Anita Burkhardt and Larry Cardwell, say the program has turned their life around.

Your Donations Count!

The outreach programs, educational materials and staff support of the Wisconsin Parkinson Association depend upon financial contributions for their operation. Every donation, no matter how small, provides the infrastructure that enables us to help patients and caregivers make informed decisions about how to live better with Parkinson disease. Donations to the WPA are tax deductible according to the Internal Revenue code.

News and Events

• The WPA held its first Living Well with Parkinson Disease Conference in Neenah, WI. This half-day event was free to the public and presented those in the area a chance to hear from their local experts and vendors. It was a huge success with over one hundred individuals participating. We will be taking this event on road with a stop in Iowa as well as Illinois. View the “Events” page for more information as the dates get closer.

• The 12^th Annual Golf Outing will be held at the Ironwood Golf Course in Sussex, Wisconsin this year. We are now collecting information for sponsors, raffle items and teams. Contact Keith Brewer at 414-517-8121 or by email at kbrew12@wi.rr.com if you are interested in helping or participating.

• Free Parkinson disease screenings and early diagnosis workshops are scheduled throughout the year so check often for dates and locations.

Join the WPA

Become a member of the Wisconsin Parkinson Association and receive a subscription to The Network, the quarterly newsletter, notice of special events and invitations to workshops and seminars. Membership dues help fund the ongoing operations of the WPA and its support groups in Wisconsin and surrounding states. The Wisconsin Parkinson Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It is affiliated with the National Parkinson Foundation, which also funds a portion of its services.

For more information about the Wisconsin Parkinson Association, call 414-219-7061 or (800) 972-5455