Northwest Parkinson's Foundation Receives $200,000 Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

BELLEVUE, Wash. -- The Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, which recently opened one of only two care centers nationwide specializing in this disease, will use a $200,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide better care for patients in five states.

"This grant will enable us to deliver many services sorely needed by the more than 70,000 Parkinson's disease patients and their families in our region," said Bill Bell, executive director of the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation. The Foundation serves people in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, and operates the Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center, located in Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Wash. This regional care center takes a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating patients with Parkinson's – and other movement disorder sufferers – and educating and supporting their caregivers.

Parkinson's disease, which affects more people than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease combined, is a slowly progressive neurological disease that affects a small area of cells in the middle part of the brain. These cells gradually degenerate and die. Their loss causes symptoms that may include tremors, stiffness of muscles, slowness of movement and loss of balance.

"Parkinson's disease is a devastating condition for those affected and for their families. We are pleased to be able to support an organization working to improve the quality of life for Parkinson's patients and setting new national treatment and care standards," said William H. Gates, Sr., Co-Chair & CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

To support its mission, the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation is raising a $6 million endowment, which will increase services and care. For more information on the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation or the Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center call (425) 746-5556 or on the web (www.nwpf.org).