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Every April, we dedicate the month to raising awareness of Parkinson’s disease and its far-reaching impact. More than 17,500 British Columbians are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, but the effects extend beyond those living with the disease—family members, friends, colleagues, and care partners are also impacted. Expanding public understanding can lead to greater advocacy for improved care, resources, and support, ultimately enhancing quality of life for those affected.

This year, we want to share that Parkinson Society BC is there for everyone, no matter where they are in their journey. While many recognize the visible motor symptoms, fewer people understand the wide range of symptoms—both motor and non-motor—that affect daily life. Parkinson’s is experienced differently by each person, and it impacts a diverse community of individuals across all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The services we offer aim to improve quality of life, and above all else, remind everyone that no one has to face Parkinson’s alone.

Our 2026 Awareness Campaign Highlights include:

• Highlighting services we offer, providing awareness of the vast array of tools and resources available to help the Parkinson’s community across the province.
• Looking back at Awareness efforts from previous years, revisiting the special moments and people that made them possible.
• Challenging misconceptions about Parkinson’s by reducing misunderstandings, dispelling myths, and working to break down stigma.
• Highlighting strategies for living well with Parkinson’s, through self-management, self-reliance, and self-advocacy.
• Fostering community ties and peer support, bringing together individuals across British Columbia to foster connection, understanding, and shared experiences.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram throughout April for stories, resources, and ways to get involved!

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Most people recognize a tremor—an involuntary shaking movement, often in the hands—as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Others may think of Michael J. Fox, who has done an incredible job of bringing awareness to the disorder. The truth is, Parkinson’s affects people of all ages and backgrounds. You’ll even see in our campaign this year a young woman named Jayde, who was diagnosed at just 23.

Everyone’s experience with the disease is different. Symptoms vary from person to person—while one individual may develop certain symptoms, another may never experience them at all. No two journeys with Parkinson’s are the same.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects both movement and other functions of the body. It occurs when the brain loses cells that produce dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement. This leads to motor symptoms, which affect physical movement—such as tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, and problems with balance. However, PD also causes non-motor symptoms, which are not related to movement. These can include changes in mood, trouble with memory and thinking, sleep problems, and issues with digestion and blood pressure.

Another movement-related symptom that can lead to misunderstanding is dyskinesia, which is different from the tremors often associated with PD. Dyskinesia refers to involuntary, erratic movements and is usually a side effect of long-term Parkinson’s medication, rather than the disease itself. Because these movements can be unpredictable, they are sometimes mistaken for other conditions or behaviours, leading to stigma and false assumptions about the person experiencing them.

The exact cause of Parkinson’s is unknown, but a mix of genetic and environmental factors may play a role in its development. While there is no cure, interventions like medication, exercise, and specialized therapies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Parkinson Society British Columbia provides education, advocacy, and support to help those affected by PD live well.

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This year, we are taking a moment to reflect on a decade of our April Awareness campaigns and revisit the special people and moments that made them possible.  

Instagram Image:

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We rely on generous donations throughout the year to support those in need, fund educational programs, and advance innovative research. This April, you can make a meaningful gift in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month or in tribute to a friend or loved one. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a significant difference in our community. Thank you for your ongoing support and all that you do!

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Public transit reaches thousands of commuters daily, making it a powerful platform for raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease. As part of our Parkinson’s Awareness Month efforts, we are running a province-wide transit advertising campaign to ensure more people see our message and learn about the impact of Parkinson’s disease.

This year’s campaign includes a mix of platform posters, interior transit ads, and digital billboards across Metro Vancouver. Ads will be placed in high-traffic transit locations and inside buses and SkyTrain cars.

Metro Vancouver

• Posters: Commercial Broadway, Vancouver City Centre, and King George stations
• SkyTrain Interior Cards (100 total): 50 cards inside Expo and Millennium Line trains; 50 cards inside Canada Line trains
• Bus Interior Cards (100 total): Across the Lower Mainland

Platform Poster

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Kamloops

Listeners across Kamloops will hear about Parkinson’s Awareness Month through a wide-reaching radio campaign on K 97.5, New Country 103.1, and 610 AM throughout April.

The campaign will include:

• Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs): A minimum of 144 30-second PSAs will air across all three stations.
• Live Announcer Mentions: A minimum of 42 live announcer mentions on-air across all three stations, promoting Parkinson’s Awareness Month to their audience.
• Online Event Listings: Both stations will include the event on their websites for four weeks, from April 1–30.
• Social Media Post: At least two social media posts promoting Parkinson’s Awareness Month to their audience.
• DashSync: A two-sentence promotion of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and PSBC’s logo featured on car dashboards while the PSAs are airing.

Kelowna

Listeners across Kelowna will hear about Parkinson’s Awareness Month through a wide-reaching radio campaign on 99.9 Sun FM, Go 101.5, and AM 1150 throughout April.

The campaign will include:

• Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs): A minimum of 210 30-second PSAs will air across all three stations.
• Newsletter Features: The campaign will be featured in at least one “Community Soundtrack” newsletter, promoting Parkinson’s Awareness Month to their audience.
• Online Event Listings: All three stations will include the event on their websites for four weeks, from April 1–30.
• Social Media: At least two social media posts from 99.9 Sun FM and Go 101.5 promoting Parkinson’s Awareness Month to their audience.

Lower Mainland

Listeners across the Lower Mainland will hear about Parkinson’s Awareness Month through a wide-reaching radio campaign on 104.3 The Breeze and Z 95.3 throughout April.

The campaign will include:

• Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs): A minimum of 80 30-second PSAs will air across both stations.
• DashSync: A two-sentence promotion of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and PSBC’s logo featured on car dashboards while the PSAs are airing.

Prince George

Listeners across Prince George will hear about Parkinson’s Awareness Month through a wide-reaching radio campaign on 99.3 Rewind Radio and 101.3 The River throughout April.

The campaign will include:

• Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs): A minimum of 140 30-second PSAs will air across both stations to over 41,000 monthly listeners.

Victoria

Listeners across Victoria will hear about Parkinson’s Awareness Month through a wide-reaching radio campaign on 100.3 The Q! and The Zone 91.3 throughout April.

The campaign will include:

• Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs): A minimum of 72 30-second PSAs will air across both stations to over 110,000 combined weekly listeners.

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Libraries serve as important community hubs, providing spaces for learning, curiosity, and the exchange of knowledge. During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we partner with libraries across British Columbia to increase public understanding of Parkinson’s disease by providing educational resources and opportunities for engagement.

As part of this initiative, participating libraries receive a package containing posters, brochures, and curated reading lists featuring books and materials related to Parkinson’s disease, caregiving, and neurological health. The way each library presents these materials varies based on its space, audience, and capacity. Some may create dedicated displays, while others incorporate resources into their existing health and wellness sections. Regardless of the format, these displays help spark conversations and provide valuable information to those seeking support or greater awareness of the disease.

Participating Libraries

A list of libraries taking part in the initiative is as follows:

• Cariboo Regional District Library (All branches)
• Coquitlam Public Library
• Dawson Creek Municipal Public Library
• Fernie Heritage Library
• Fort St. John Public Library
• Greater Victoria Public Library
• Mount Pleasant Public Library
• Nelson Public Library
• New West Public Library (Main branch)
• North Vancouver City Library
• Okanagan Regional Library (Inclusive of branches across the region)
• Prince George Public Library
• Salmo Valley Public Library
• Sechelt Public Library
• Surrey Libraries (All branches)
• Thompson-Nicola Regional Library (All branches)
• Trail and District Public Library
• Vancouver Island Regional Library (Various branches)
• Vancouver Public Library (Central branch)
• West Vancouver Memorial Library

We are grateful to these libraries for their commitment to raising awareness and making essential resources more accessible to the public.

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Community centres serve as important hubs, providing spaces for exercise, socialization, and the sense of connection. During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we partner with community centres across British Columbia to increase public understanding of Parkinson’s disease by providing educational resources and opportunities for engagement.

As part of this initiative, participating community centres receive a package containing posters and informational brochures, The way each community centre presents these materials varies based on its space, audience, and capacity. Some may create dedicated displays, while others advertise our cause on their public poster boards. Regardless of the format, these displays help spark conversations and provide valuable information to those seeking support or greater awareness of the disease.

Participating Community Centres

A list of community centres taking part in the initiative is as follows:

• 100 Mile Community Hall, 100 Mile House
• Abbotsford Recreational Centre, Abbotsford
• Beban Park Social Centre, Nanaimo
• Bowen Complex, Nanaimo
• Britannia Community Services Centre, Vancouver
• Centennial Park Leisure Centre and Arena, White Rock
• Cheam Leisure Centre, Chilliwack
• Chilliwack Landing Leisure Centre, Chilliwack
• Coal Harbour Community Centre, Vancouver
• False Creek Community Centre, Vancouver
• Greater Vernon Recreation Centre, Vernon
• Hamilton Community Centre, Richmond
• Hammond Community Centre, Maple Ridge
• Horst and Emmy Werner Centre for Active Living, White Rock
• Kensington Community Centre, Vancouver
• Killarney Community Centre, Vancouver
• Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, Maple Ridge
• Matsqui Recreation Centre, Abbotsford
• Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Nanaimo
• Nanaimo Ice Centre, Nanaimo
• Oliver Woods Community Centre, Nanaimo
• Parksville Community Centre, Parksville
• Pitt Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, Pitt Meadows
• Powell River Recreation Complex, Powell River
• Queensborough Community Centre, New Westminster
• Renfrew Park Community Centre, Vancouver
• Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, Maple Ridge
• Trout Lake Community Centre, Vancouver
• West Point Grey Community Centre, Vancouver
• White Rock Community Centre, White Rock

We are grateful to these community centres for their commitment to raising awareness and making essential resources more accessible to the public.

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As part of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) is proud to continue our landmark lighting initiative, a project we have led for over five years. Each April, we collaborate with landmarks, buildings, institutions, and municipalities across the province to illuminate in blue, sparking conversations and increasing public recognition of the impact of Parkinson’s.

This year, we are joining forces with Spark the Night, a global initiative spearheaded by PD Avengers, to further amplify this message worldwide. Together, on April 11, World Parkinson’s Day, we are shining a light on Parkinson’s disease and the need for greater awareness, support, and research.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the following landmarks and organizations for their participation and support in this initiative:

Canada Place Sails of Light, Vancouver

Castlegar Bridge – Kinnaird Interchange Bridge, Castlegar

City Hall, Maple Ridge

City Hall, Port Coquitlam

City Hall & Burrard Street Bridge, Vancouver

City Hall, Williams Lake

Inlet Centre Fire Hall, Port Moody (Lit up blue for all of April)

Lafarge Lake Fountain, Coquitlam

Olympic Cauldron / Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver

The Bastion, Nanaimo

Victoria Street Bridge, Williams Lake

Tower Lights at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Richmond

Whistler Fitzsimmons Creek Bridge, Whistler

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One of the ways we work to increase visibility is through proclamations—formal declarations issued by governments to recognize important causes. These proclamations serve as an official acknowledgment of Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

While many municipalities previously issued proclamations to promote public health, the practice has become less common, with some local governments discontinuing them altogether. However, we continue to make an effort each year to secure a provincial proclamation from the Government of British Columbia, ensuring that April is formally recognized across the province. The provincial proclamation efforts are still in progress.

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MEDIA REQUESTS & CAMPAIGN FEEDBACK

Alicia Wrobel
Director, Communications & Operations
awrobel@parkinson.bc.ca
1-800-668-3330 ext. 237

Are you a member of the media or community looking to help promote Parkinson’s Awareness Month? Download our available resources below, including a press release and a fact sheet with key information about Parkinson’s disease, Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and Parkinson Society BC.

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