Can I Be a PWP on the PPAC for the PDF?

Saw on Twitter the other day that the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation is seeking applications for new members to serve on their People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council.  I filled out an application and encourage any Parkies or anyone affected by PD who happens to be reading this to do the same.

From the website:

Do you want to help guide the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) in its work in the Parkinson’s community?

If so, then apply for a spot on our People with Parkinson’s Advisory Council (PPAC). PPAC is an advisory board which provides the perspective of people with Parkinson’s and care partners to PDF’s program development and priority setting.


People living with or affected by Parkinson’s are eligible to apply for one three-year term by Monday, January 24, 2011.

Sounds like excruciating business.

PPAC advises and collaborates with PDF on our research, education and advocacy programs. The activities of PPAC members may include, but are not limited to:

• Serving on scientific review committees, (for example, the committee that selects which research grants PDF will fund)
• Identifying unmet needs  in the Parkinson’s community (for example, the need for a centralized information resource that led to the creation of the Parkinson’s Disease Resource List)
• Providing input and guidance on programs, such as our research advocacy initiative and Clinical Research Learning Institute.
• Serving as PDF community ambassadors, liaising between PDF and the Parkinson’s community and representing us at relevant conferences and meetings.
• Participating in formal PPAC meetings four times a year.  Three of these meetings occur via conference call and one takes place at the PDF office in New York City in April.
• Working with PDF throughout the year as advisors on specific projects.

The online application is here.  I hope to be one of the selectees.  But if I’m not, I will gladly work with whoever gets chosen to help get out the word on PDF initiatives, goals and plans.

Somebody gotta do it!