April is the month when some of my closest friends and I come together with a shared mission: to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease. For many of us, this cause is a year-round commitment. We tirelessly advocate for more funding for research by raising our voices to state leaders and across social media to make sure our message is heard.

It's a time we remember those we’ve lost in this fight. Still, Parkinson’s Awareness month is not only a time for reflection—it is a time for action. It is time to call on government officials and healthcare leaders. We must move the public at large to stand with those affected by Parkinson's Disease. It is time to say "enough is enough." We will not be silent, we will not be ignored. Yes, and we will not rest until a cure is found.

While the month was chosen around the birthday of James Parkinson. We know his outdated version of PD is no longer valid. The Parkinson’s Avengers lead us with Spark the Night on April 11th with a dynamic shade of blue lights glowing around the globe. It doesn't erase the harsh reality. The number of people being diagnosed keeps multiplying while the powers that be continue to turn a blind eye. It is appallingly unacceptable. Parkinson’s awareness month is about standing together and demanding a better way. 

While the efforts of advocates, researchers, and community leaders have grown, it is clear that we must push harder. We must raise our voices louder. We need to demand greater support from our leaders. The struggle for a cure, for better treatment options, and for access to care is not over. The stress Parkinson’s Disease puts on our future is staggering. The global Parkinson’s community continues to face the miserable truth that too often, the needs of those living with the disease are ignored by those in positions of power who are not listening. 

We have to make them listen. The stakes couldn't be higher. We must share our stories to save our lives and our future. Knowledge is power. The more we share our individual stories about what this disease does to us. The better the researchers will learn how to fight it. We can’t fight what we don’t understand. So we must make more people understand how much their stories matter. 

So for me. Parkinson’s Awareness month is all about growing this community. Everyone who is affected by Parkinson’s disease has a story that matters. A story that is important. From the patients to the caregivers. We all can make a difference. Yes, and we must. The future of mankind depends on it. 

This proclamation serves to honor the tireless work of advocates, scientists, and loved ones. My wish is that it reminds us all that the battle for a cure continues. Our collective action can and does make a difference. One brutally honest story at a time.