After last year’s overwhelming success, Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) and The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) are proud to announce the return of Parkinson’s Today: An Educational Symposium on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at UC Riverside – Palm Desert Campus.

The 2025 inaugural event welcomed 300 in-person attendees for a full day of expert-led learning. In just seven months, recordings of the symposium reached over 75,000 views online, with 93% of participants reporting high satisfaction and 90% saying they plan to attend again.

“Last year proved that our community is eager for this kind of trusted, research-driven, and compassionate programming,” said Eileen Lynch, Executive Director of PRO. “This symposium is a force multiplier for Coachella Valley, which faces a serious shortage in expert Parkinson’s care and a higher incidence of Parkinson’s than other parts of the country. Our goal is the same as last year – to remove barriers to high-quality, expert-led education through thoughtful collaborations with leaders in the Parkinson’s world – like The Michael J. Fox Foundation.”

The upcoming symposium will feature a new lineup of panelists addressing urgent questions in Parkinson’s care while also shedding light on the latest scientific breakthroughs. Attendees will gain practical tools for living with Parkinson’s today and hope for tomorrow.

“This day will provide participants with a sense of gratitude and optimism, preparing everyone with the tools to help manage and live with Parkinson’s,” says Ethan Henderson, Senior Manager, Philanthropy at MJFF. “Our dedication and investment in Coachella Valley is only amplified by collaborating with Parkinson’s Resource Organization. We look forward to seeing you there!”

Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease in the world, and the incidence of Parkinson’s is higher in Southern California than in other parts of the country. Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s, including an estimated 5-10,000 individuals in Coachella Valley.

While the severity of symptoms varies depending on the individual and the stages of the disease, there are many approaches to improving quality of life for those affected. From caregiving to therapy to surgical interventions, sharing information and resources provides immeasurable value for people with Parkinson’s, their families, and caregivers.

The event is free to attend and pre-registration is required. Recordings of the Symposium will be released online for those unable to attend in person. For early registration, visit www.parkinsonsresource.org/symposium.

Pictured below:

1. Ethan Henderson, John Legge, MD, and Jessica Shields, MD speak on a panel.

2. Hilary Siebens, MD, Julie Edwards talk at the expo.

3. Attendees listen to program.

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) 

As the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding $2 billion in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. 

Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; creates a robust open-access data set and biosample library to speed scientific breakthroughs and treatment with its landmark clinical study, PPMI; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. 

About Parkinson’s Resource Organization

Founded in 1990 by caregivers, Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) works so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s disease. PRO improves quality of life for people with Parkinson’s, their families, and caregivers through emotional support groups, educational programs, practical resources, and access to a qualified network of professionals. As the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world, Parkinson’s demands community — and PRO has been the trusted source of high-quality, relevant, research-based, and accessible community support for more than three decades.

For more information about Parkinson’s Resource Organization please visit parkinsonsresource.org or contact us at (760) 773-5628 or email info@parkinsonsresource.org. Parkinson’s Resource Organization is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity 501(c)(3) tax ID: #95-4304276.