Parkinson's Disease Foundation Welcomes Ivory Latta, a Star Player with the WNBA, as Ambassador for Awareness and Fundraising

NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is pleased to announce WNBA star Ivory Latta as Ambassador for PDF Champions, the organization's program to generate awareness and fundraising at the grassroots level.  In this role, Ms. Latta will spread her message that all of us, no matter what the size of our contribution, can make a difference to the Parkinson's cause. 

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Ms. Latta – a point guard for the team, Tulsa Shock – has a very personal reason for supporting PDF.  She said, "My father and my grandmother live with Parkinson's, so I have seen first-hand the effects that Parkinson's can have on an individual and on a family.  This experience drives me to help other families touched by the disease."

While many PDF Champions are people living with Parkinson's, the majority, like Ms. Latta, are their loved ones who are also driven to make an impact.  These partners, spouses, children, grandchildren, and parents of people living with Parkinson's accomplish this by organizing events ranging from lemonade stands and car washes to golf tournaments and hikes of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ms. Latta will provide encouragement to PDF Champions on their journeys to raise awareness in communities throughout the country.  She will invite new members to contribute in whichever way they can, whether it be through wearing awareness t-shirts, making small donations, or hosting their own fundraisers.

Ms. Latta said, "To the nearly one million people living with Parkinson's in the United States and their families, I would say, the cure begins with us.  We can make a difference. If you or a loved one has been touched by Parkinson's, please consider joining PDF Champions or supporting one in your community." 

Robin Elliott, PDF's Executive Director, added, "We are thrilled to have Ms. Latta on board as an Ambassador to PDF Champions, to spread the message that the unique contribution of each and every individual, no matter how big or small, can bring us closer to a cure.  Over the past 50 years, PDF has provided more than $127 million to support research, education and advocacy.  This has only been possible because of the support of individual donors and fundraisers, whose contributions truly do make all the difference." 

For more information on the PDF Champions program or to make a donation to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, please visit www.pdf.org.

About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly one million people in the US.  Although promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinson's.

About the Parkinson's Disease Foundation
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is a leading national presence in Parkinson's disease research, education and public advocacy. We are working for the nearly one million people in the US who live with Parkinson's by funding promising scientific research while supporting people living with Parkinson's through educational programs and services.  Since its founding in 1957, PDF has dedicated over $90 million to fund the work of leading scientists throughout the world and over $37 million to support national education and advocacy programs.

SOURCE Parkinson's Disease Foundation