A Look Back At 2025 With PCLA
What a year of connection, education, creativity, and joy!
In 2025, PCLA continued its mission of empowering people impacted by Parkinson’s with evidence-based tools, community engagement, and inspiring experiences, both in-person and online.
So much happened in the past 12 months, and we’re grateful to every speaker, participant, volunteer, donor, and partner who showed up with heart. Here’s a snapshot of the highlights from 2025.
2025 By The Numbers
2025 brought measurable impact and meaningful progress.
Here are just a few numbers that highlight the impact PCLA has made in the Parkinson’s community.
LA Marathon Charity 5K
5 Teams Representing PCLA
$15,370 Raised!
PCLA participated in the 2025 LA 5K Marathon. It is a family-friendly 5K, open to participants of all ages and abilities, including runners, walkers, and strollers! A big thank you to our premier sponsor for this event, Assisted Living Locators!
Let’s Taco Parkinson’s Fundraising Event
62 attendees
We were thrilled to host our 3rd annual “Let’s Taco Parkinson’s” Dinner, bringing our PD community together for an evening of connection, awareness, and support for PCLA.
Guests enjoyed great food and an engaging presentation with insights on Parkinson’s disease, followed by a Q&A with Dr. Katherine Wong. The night encouraged meaningful conversations and provided an opportunity to support PCLA’s ongoing programs and resources.
Let’s Talk Parkinson’s Series
5 Events Hosted
696 Registrants in 2025
PCLA's "Let's Talk Parkinson's" series provides tools and strategies to help the Parkinson's community live their absolute best lives.
Go to Let's Talk Parkinson's Playlist on YouTube
Life Beyond The Basics Annual Conference
6 Doctors Presented
219 Registered
Every year, we host the Life Beyond the Basics Conference, where participants can gain insights from members of PCLA’s renowned Medical Advisory Board, who present leading-edge strategies to help improve living with Parkinson’s. Our 2025 theme, “The Garden”, focused on planting hope and nurturing joy within the Parkinson’s community.
This year, our speakers were:
- Wael El-Nachef, MD, PhD: Gastroenterologist, specializes in GI issues in Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Adrienne Keener, MD: UCLA neurologist, specializes in PD care, DBS, and rehab therapies, with a focus on team-based treatment.
- Melita Petrossian, MD: Neurologist, directs the Pacific Movement Disorders Center, specializing in Parkinson’s care.
- Nicholas Szumski, MD: Movement Disorders specialist, advises PCLA on PD care and medical issues affecting the Parkinson’s community.
- Michele Tagliati, MD, FAAN: Cedars-Sinai neurology leader, pioneered DBS for PD and researches non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms.
- Jeffrey C. Wertheimer, PhD, ABPP-CN: Chief of Psychology and Neuropsychology, & the Director of Clinical Training in Neuropsychology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Moving Forward
271 attendees for the second two installments of our brand-new series!
660 attendees for all three parts of the second series!
Moving Forward features special presentations from experts in the medical community to provide tools & strategies that maximize quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s.
Year-End Fundraiser - Finding The Joy 2025
We met our goal!
In late 2025, we launched our “Finding the Joy” year-end fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $100,000 to support ongoing programs, educational events, tools, and community resources. With strong momentum and incredible support from community members and fundraisers, this initiative will help fuel PCLA’s mission well into the new year.
We are so grateful to every donor, every fundraiser, and every voice that helped bring more hope, connection, and joy to people living with Parkinson’s this year!
YouTube Channel
We’re closing 2025 with over 8,000+ subscribers and 92K views on our PCLA YouTube channel this year alone!
This is an exciting achievement, as our goal is always to share information to all people impacted by Parkinson’s. YouTube enables us to expand our reach and assist people worldwide.
🏛️ April 21, 2025 - PCLA Visited Sacramento!
In April, Parkinson’s advocates from across California, including PCLA President Patrick LoSasso, gathered at the State Capitol to recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Month and advocate for AB 829, which would establish the California Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund.
More than 40 patients, caregivers, and organizations stood together in a powerful show of unity. We were proud to stand with the community pushing for better care, more resources, and real solutions. 💙
NEW In-Person Events
🎨 Spontaneous Activity: A group show by artists with Parkinson’s Disease - April 5, 2025 - June 21, 2025
PCLA collaborated with dnj Gallery and ArtandMed on “Spontaneous Activity,” a group exhibition featuring artists with Parkinson’s disease. This art exhibit aimed to educate, spread awareness, and raise funds for chronic health conditions.
🤣 Laughing Matters: A Comedy Fundraiser for Parkinson’s - April 27, 2025
From big laughs to meaningful moments, Laughing Matters filled the room with joy and reminded us just how healing a good laugh can be.
Performers included:
- Arsenio Hall
- Jimmy Burns
- Zoltan Kaszas
- Mary Kennedy
- Andy Kindler
- Cathy Ladman
- Larry Omaha
- Carol Ann Leif as the MC of the evening!
Thanks to the generosity of King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano, 100% of the ticket price went directly to PCLA, helping improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s!
💪 Thrive With Five: Living Your Absolute Best Life With Parkinson’s - August 2, 2025
129 Attendees
At Thrive With Five, attendees discovered how to live a rich, inspiring, and fulfilling life with Parkinson’s by exploring the five essential pillars: medical team, nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene, and mental health & socialization.
This exclusive event featured five interactive wellness stations and a Real Talk panel discussion, moderated by Leanne Suter, ABC 7 news reporter.
The panel featured:
- Dr. Xenos Mason, MDS, USC Keck School of Medicine
- Catherine Mark, BSN, RN, USC Keck School of Medicine
- Dave Kerr, YOPD, Co-founder of FitSport Kinetics
- Jennifer Parkinson, YOPD, Co-founder of Neuro Wellness Boxing
- Bill Plaschke, L.A. Times Sports Columnist
🧠 Lunch & Learn Education Series: April 2, 2025, June 19th, 2025 & November 5, 2025
155 Total Attendees
The Lunch & Learn series connected the community with leading Parkinson’s experts, offering timely insights on research, treatment approaches, and strategies for living well with PD.
April 2, 2025: Parkinson’s & Peace: Finding Balance Through Stress Relief w/ Dr. Dov Gold
In our first session, Dr. Dov Gold discussed stress relief for people with Parkinson’s.
June 19, 2025: The Parkinson’s Plan w/ Dr. Ray Dorsey
Dr. Ray Dorsey discussed his new book, The Parkinson’s Plan, written with Michael S. Okun, MD, which explores cutting-edge research on how to prevent, slow, and treat Parkinson’s disease.
View Photo Album
November 5, 2025: What's New With PD Research w/ Dr. Jeff Bronstein
Dr. Jeff Bronstein rounded out the series, discussing the latest developments in PD research, including the causes of PD and potential treatments that may halt its progression.
View Photo Album
Let’s Talk Parkinson’s Highlights
Let’s Talk Parkinson’s continues to be one of our most popular educational series!
Here are highlights from our 2025 presenters:
Psilocybin Therapy for Depression in PD w/ Dr. Ellen Bradley
In January, we hosted Dr. Ellen Bradley, MD for a conversation on how psilocybin therapy is being used and its effectiveness for PD.
Parkinson’s Disease & Lewy Body Dementia Caregivers with Dr. Jori Fleisher
In March, Dr. Jori Fleisher discussed the challenges faced by caretakers of those living with PD and LBD and a discussion on how to best support these individuals.
Men Who Care: Emerging Conversations From Male Care Partners
In June, PCLA hosted a panel for a powerful conversation centering the often unseen experiences of men who are care partners to those living with Parkinson’s.
The Parkinson’s Plan with Dr. Ray Dorsey
In July, Dr. Dorsey joined us again to discuss his new book The Parkinson’s Plan, and answer questions.
Understanding Estate Planning for Parkinson's with Rochelle H. Schultz
Estate Planning Attorney, Rochelle H. Schultz, joined us in Octover to provide valuable guidance to help people living with Parkinson’s plan ahead with confidence.
Life Beyond The Basics Conference - September 17th
Our 2025 theme, “The Garden”, focused on planting hope and growing joy within the Parkinson’s community.
Cutting-edge insights were discussed by members of PCLA’s renowned Medical Advisory Board, who presented new, actionable items for living better, discovering joy, and harvesting happiness with Parkinson’s.
Speaker highlights included:
- Wael El-Nachef, MD, PhD: Gastroenterologist, specializes in GI issues in Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative disorders.
- Adrienne Keener, MD: UCLA neurologist, specializes in PD care, DBS, and rehab therapies, with a focus on team-based treatment.
- Melita Petrossian, MD: Neurologist, directs the Pacific Movement Disorders Center, specializing in Parkinson’s care.
- Nicholas Szumski, MD: Movement Disorders specialist, advises PCLA on PD care and medical issues affecting the Parkinson’s community.
- Michele Tagliati, MD, FAAN: Cedars-Sinai neurology leader, pioneered DBS for PD and researches non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms.
- Jeffrey C. Wertheimer, PhD, ABPP-CN: Chief of Psychology and Neuropsychology, & the Director of Clinical Training in Neuropsychology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Thank you to the doctors, exhibitors, event partners, and attendees for making this a wonderful event!
Moving Forward Series Highlights
Moving Forward was a brand-new series we introduced in 2024 and has quickly become one of our most-viewed series.
Here is a collection of highlights from our 2025 presenters:
Practical Tips to Maintain Independence and Make Life Easier Part 3 with Dr. Mary Grace Lagasca
In January, we continued with Part 3 of this series, where Dr. Lagasca covered practical tips for leisure and recreation, including exercise, car arrangement, travel, socialization, and adaptations for hobbies such as gardening and painting.
Practical Tips to Maintain Independence and Make Life Easier Part 4 with Dr. Mary Grace Lagasca
In February, Dr. Lagasca closed out her portion of the series reviewing key points from the previous three presentations and addressing follow-up questions
Cognition & Cognitive Challenges in Parkinson's Disease with Julia Nicholls, MA, CCC-SLP
In August, PCLA launched another three-part series focusing on practical tips for improving speech, swallowing, and cognition with PD. In Part 1 of this series, Julia Nicholls, discussed cognition and cognitive challenges in PD, offering strategies for boosting cognition through each stage of Parkinson’s.
How to Manage Voice and Speech Issues with Parkinson’s disease with Rachel Convey, PhD, CCC-SLP
In October, Rachel Convey discussed strategies for managing voice and speech issues with Parkinson’s disease.
Swallowing Difficulties in PD with Sofia Rogers
In November, Sofia Rogers discussed swallowing difficulties in Parkinson’s disease.
Spotlight on 2025 Sponsors
Each event was made possible by the generous support of our contributing sponsors. We could not have done it without them!
Special thanks to:
King, Holmes, Paterno & Soriano
Thank YOU For Making It An Unforgettable 2025
As we close out 2025, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us, supported our mission, and helped strengthen our Parkinson’s community this year.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person or online in the spirit of learning, laughter, and community.
Here’s to another year of living our absolute best lives with Parkinson’s!
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Please consider donating today so we can continue to provide critical support to those impacted by Parkinson’s.
