Four-State Alliance for Parkinson's Support

Cumberland, MD - Frederick, MD - Gettysburg, PA - Hagerstown, MD - Mechanicsburg, PA - New Oxford, PA - Winchester, VA - Chambersburg, PAud the Four-State Area

 

4SAPS Home Meeting on 9/20/2014 Meeting on 1/31/2015 John Kraft Award Meeting on 2/4/2017   Back to Hagerstown Parkinson's Support Group

Four-State Alliance for Parkinson's Support
Photo from the March 2018 Meeting

Four State Alliance for Parkinson’s Support, March 10, 2018 Meeting

Back, Left to Right:  Mike Saterbak, Dean Cook, Waverly Reames, Cheryl Reames, Louise Houtz, Al Houtz, Steve Silvious, Janet Silvious, Art Guyer
Front, Left to Right:  Carol Gaines, Judy Friedman, Daune Wynn, John Kraft, Mary Kraft.

On Saturday, March 10, 2018, the Four State Alliance for Parkinson's Support group met at the Western Sizzlin’ Steak House in Hagerstown.  Representatives from the "Friends in Frederick' PD Support Group, Frederick County Parkinson’s Support Group, Winchester Parkinson's Support Group, Hagerstown Parkinson's Support Group, Cross Keys Parkinson's Support Group, and the Maryland Association for Parkinson's Support attended.  The group's agenda included discussing current issues and successful activities of each of the groups represented, ideas for enhancing membership, and suggestions for the leaders who had recently assumed leadership roles or started support groups.  Also discussed was methods to support members who have a death in their families.  The finally discussion centered on planning for an all-day Parkinson's Community Seminar to be held on April 12, 2019.

 Background:  In 2014, an alliance of the Parkinson’s Disease support groups in Western Maryland, and nearby cities in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia was formed to promote communications among group leaders.  This Alliance increases the ability to raise funds for programs, shares resources, and creates a sense of community.  It serves the Parkinson's support groups in the defined four-state area with the purpose of improving the quality of care for individuals with Parkinson's disease and their care partners throughout the area.  With potential assistance from regional health care and research institutions, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Centers, and national Parkinson's disease foundations, the Alliance seeks to raise public awareness and understanding of the disease as well as help improve the knowledge and treatment of members of the Parkinson's community.  The Alliance also works with the Maryland Association for Parkinson’s Support (MAPS).  Members who have attended discover different and sometimes better ways to deal with issues they experience and always share new ideas with other leaders.