December 2007 Meeting
Photo by Dottie Gantt
Columbia Parkinson's Support Group
Serving The Mid-Lands of South Carolina Since 1985
| WELCOME TO OUR WEBSITE |
| For The Columbia Parkinson's Support Group ~~ Columbia, South Carolina |
The Columbia Parkinson's Support Group (CPSG) was formed to provide support, encouragement, information, contacts, and education for Parkinson's patients, caregivers, family members and others who are working in related fields or have an interest in Parkinson's disease. Our support group's mission is to offer PD patients, caregivers, family and friends in the midlands of South Carolina, and others in the Parkinson's community, a place to obtain news on research, clinical trials, programs, events, educational seminars, fundraising activities and other valuable information. The Columbia Parkinson's Support Group is located in the mid-lands of South Carolina; serving the counties of (but not limited to) Aiken, Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Orangeburg, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter. We welcome all visitors and guests to our monthly meetings. |
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| Over approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease. Every 9 minutes another person is diagnosed with PD (~ 60,000 per year). As many as one in 15 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's before age 50. An estimated 1.5 million Americans have the Parkinson's brain disorder, while an estimated 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. As many as one in 15 people are diagnosed with Parkinson's before age 50. Every 9 minutes another person is diagnosed with Parkinson's - that's approximately 60,00 people per year. Symptoms may include: slowness of movement, tremors, muscle stiffness, rigidity, muffled speech, postural instability / difficulty with balance, and other physical limitations. Parkinson's is a slowly progressive brain disorder resulting in the loss of dopamine production. Dopamine is the neuro-transmitter responsible for aiding in body movements. To date there is no cure for Parkinson's, but new medications and surgical treatments are being developed and made available to help manage some of the debilitating symptoms. Click here for an overview of "What Is Parkinson's Disease?" |
| 23andMe Genetic Study The 23andMe Study is launching a revolutionary new Parkinson's community, that is focused on paving the way to breakthrough discoveries about how our genes and environment influence Parkinson's disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Parkinson's Institute are joining 23andMe, the leading provider of personal genetics services, in enabling access to this exciting new opportunity. The requirements are simple: provide a saliva sample for genetic analysis and agree to participate in online surveys about your experience with Parkinson’s. Note: 23andMe is an on-going genetic study. There is a one-time only $25 discount to participate in the 23andMe Study for Parkinson ONLY patients who have been diagnosed. Click on the following link for more information. Fill out the online form to request a limited-time discount code. Click Here for more information about "What is Parkinson's Disease?" |
 Google Co-founder Sergey Brin |
| Newsmakers | |
| Doctor Dale Hamrick Is In The News ... On May 31, 2009, we were very pleased to see that The State Newspaper had a very nice article about one of our favorite support group members - Dr. Dale Hamrick. Our support group has been privileged to have Dr. Dale Hamrick as an active member for many years. Dr. Hamrick attends our meetings; he participates in our group discussions; and he gives us the benefit of his expertise on Parkinson's and geriatrics diseases. "Our Doctor" not only makes house calls, he is there for the support group when we need him; he is a wonderful asset; and a very good friend to our group. To read the excellent article by Joey Holleman in The State Newspaper Click Here You can also see and listen to Dr. Dale Hamrick as he makes his house calls to his patients. Click Here For Audio / Video |
Our Very Own "MINA EDWARDS" - Is A TV Star! Mina Edwards, a member of our Columbia Parkinson's Support Group, was asked to be interviewed by the Columbia, SC ABC Television Station - WOLO TV Channel 57/5. ABC reporter, Monique Williams did a very good interview showing how one Parkinson patient deals with living with Parkinson's.. Mina, "Thank You" for representing the Parkinson's community and helping to create awareness of Parkinson's disease. You can see the whole interview when you Click Here ~ Note - once you are on the web page, click on the Rotating Button. |
April 2009 ~ "Parkinson Awareness" Month |
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 Lieutenant Governor Andre Bower proclaims April 2009 Parkinson Awareness Month with the Columbia Parkinson's Support Group representing the South Carolina Parkinson community. Photo provided by Mark Hendrick Click Here To See More Photos Of The Ceremony |
| Join Us At The "Parkinson Round Table" Blog ~~ A Great Place For Conversation, Discussion, and Exchange The "Parkinson Round Table" was created to provide a place for conversation, discussion, and exchange of information about Parkinson's disease (PD) and related topics. We invite PD patients, caregivers, family members, and others who are working in related fields or have an interest in Parkinson's disease to gather around the table. Bring a cup of coffee, tea or whatever; and join us. You can come dressed-up, in your pajamas, or ... You can come any time of the day or night. We don't care how or when you come. We just want you to have a place where you can relax, listen, and share in the conversation about living with Parkinson's. JOIN US at the "Parkinson Round Table" Blog |
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Help Us Get A United States Postage Stamp about PD! People like Michael J. Fox, Muhammad Ali, Billy Graham, and Janet Reno have brought great awareness to the PD community. Think about the magnitude of awareness if the Parkinson's community had a PD stamp designed and sold through the U. S. Postal Service (USPS). On April 23, 2006, Claire Salamon applied to the Postal Service’s Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee for a series of 4 stamps about Incurable Diseases of the Central Nervous System and Spinal Cord Injuries. In her application, Claire suggested that the red tulip be used on the Parkinson's disease stamp, if it is approved. This petition will be sent to the USPS – in support of Claire’s application – requesting that they use this red PD Tulip (designed by Karen Painter) on the Parkinson's disease stamp. Click here to add your name to the PD Stamp petition |
| Visit Us Often We will be updating our site often to help keep you informed about our support group and on the latest information about Parkinson's disease. We encourage you to let us know if there is something we can add or change to make our web site better for you. You can also join us at the "Parkinson Round Table Blog" ~ A Great Place For Conversation, Discussion, and Exchange. |
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| Thank You! Thank you for visiting our web site; and thank you for supporting and caring for those with Parkinson's Disease. |
©2008 by Columbia Parkinson's Support Group, All Rights Reserved.
Page Last Updated June 4, 2009
Site designed and maintained by Dottie M. Gantt
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