20-Year Impact

20-Year Impact

With over two decades of quality-of-life research, creating and delivering educational programs, and connecting communities, we’ve supported hundreds of thousands in their Parkinson’s journey.

Our mission is dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s live well today. Annually, we collaborate with researchers, stakeholders, and institutions to drive initiatives forward. Guided by our esteemed Science Advisory Board, we’ve championed 30+ research studies on exercise, nutrition, and more, many progressing to additional studies or securing NIH and PCORI funding.

Your contribution to our annual fund informs, connects, and inspires individuals globally through evidence-based programs, empowering future investments in Parkinson’s care.

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Meet Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD, Chair of the Science Advisory Board for the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s.

Historical Timeline

Sunflower Revolution selects Davis Phinney as Charity Partner for Cincinnati Event (2004)

In 2004, Parkinson’s advocate Kathleen Krumme, created a two-day event as a fundraiser in Cincinnati with the beneficiaries: University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Center; and the Davis Phinney Foundation. These events (a bike ride, a gala, and a symposium) were the impetus to start/found the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s in February 2004.

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Early Research (2007)

We funded early studies on deep brain stimulation (DBS) including projects on novel surgical techniques for placement, the impact of DBS on balance and gait, and the neurological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefits.

The Victory Summit^® Inaugural Event (2008)

Since 2008, The Victory Summit® events have impacted over 45 cities and 25,000 people with Parkinson’s, care partners, family members, and wellness professionals with information, inspiration, and community connection unlike any other. 

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First Edition of The Every Victory Counts^® manual (2010)

First published in 2010, the Every Victory Counts manual broke new ground as the only resource of its kind, devoted solely to the principle of proactive self-care and a holistic approach to managing Parkinson’s.

BRAIN TRAINING (2010)

In this groundbreaking study the research team showed that aerobic exercise has the strong potential to slow Parkinson’s progression in newly diagnosed individuals who have not yet been treated with anti-Parkinson's medications.

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Team DPF Launches (2011)

Formerly the Victory Crew, the Davis Phinney Foundation launched its peer-to-peer fundraising community and program. Thousands of fundraisers support the Foundation each year. Signature fundraising events include The Wahooligan Tour, Tour de Victory, Copper Triangle, and Louisiana Walks for Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s Exercise Essentials DVD (2013)

In collaboration with Matthew Ford, PhD, we created a how-to-exercise with Parkinson’s video. 100,000 copies of this video were distributed.

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TAI CHI FOR ENHANCING COGNITIVE-MOTOR INTERACTIONS (2014)

This study confirmed that tai chi, a type of exercise that integrates motor and non motor functions has the potential to improve motor function, depression, and quality of life for people with Parkinson’s.

White House Champion of Change (2015)

Davis Phinney was recognized as a White House Champion of Change for his advocacy and work in the Parkinson’s community. Alongside other Parkinson’s luminaries, Davis received this award at a ceremony at the White House.

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Ambassador Leadership Program (2015)

10 advocates and leaders joined the first cohort of Davis Phinney Foundation Ambassadors. Today, 140+ Ambassadors serve both English- and Spanish-speaking Parkinson’s communities creating connections, resources, support, and change.

Pedaling For Parkinson’s Study (2018)

In a real-life setting, the Pedaling for Parkinson’s study evaluated researchers’ predictions and found that community cycling classes–such as the programs often hosted by YMCAs–can slow the progression of Parkinson’s.

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The Parkinson’s Podcast (2018)

Originally the brainchild of Kelsey Phinney, Connie and Davis Phinney’s daughter, the Parkinson’s Podcast was launched with a few episodes in 2018. This podcast creates original content for more than 14,000 listeners every month.

Every Victory Counts Manual Sixth Edition (2021)

With updated information on medications, non-motor symptoms, exercise, nutrition, and more, the sixth edition of the manual will equip you to live well with Parkinson's today. The manual is the cornerstone of our latest Every Victory Counts suite of resources, a robust collection of printed and digital manuals (including an Every Victory Counts Manual for Care Partners), that embraces the Davis Phinney Foundation’s philosophy of taking action to improve your quality of life with Parkinson’s.

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Pedaling for Parkinson’s^™ (2023)

The Pedaling for Parkinson's program, founded by Dr. Jay Alberts, is based on research indicating that forced exercise on a bicycle can reduce symptoms of Parkinson's. In fact, participants who ride three days a week over eight weeks have shown improvement in their Parkinson’s-related symptoms by as much as 35%.

Care Partner Training Program (2023)

During informative and supportive sessions, Dr. Jori Fleisher and colleagues offered education, tools for building self-efficacy, strategies for managing change, and a gameplan for navigating the many complications Parkinson’s may present for care partners.

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PD SELF^® Learning Forum (2024)

PD SELF—Parkinson's disease self-efficacy learning forum—is a national program for people with Parkinson’s and care partners that provides self-efficacy skill building in motivation, confidence, and knowledge needed to improve quality of life.

I can only say that the [care partner training] program you are presenting is wonderful. It is caring, understanding, knowledgeable, and filled with ways to help both care partners and PWP. I am so impressed by both Dr. Fleisher and Polly; I don’t have the right words to express it. Thank you for all you do for the Parkinson’s community!

This was BY FAR the best one hour I’ve spent in the last year learning about my disease. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’d categorize this as the most important discovery since pre-diagnosis of parkinsonism. Everything clicked last night when I watched the webinar.

Shortly after I was diagnosed, I learned about a Davis Phinney Foundation event. I attended with my family in an effort to learn how to take care of myself. It was fabulous! It armed me with knowledge, assuaged many of my fears, and gave me hope for a future.

Because of the PD SELF course, I have completely changed my outlook on Parkinson’s and what’s possible for me. I have tried so many new things, met incredible people I now call friends, and have actually made my life bigger. Thank you!!

The Davis Phinney Foundation event in Ottawa last week was sensational. My husband has Parkinson’s and three of our five children joined us at the symposium. This was a great opportunity for them to understand what their father is facing and what support I will need from them as the days go by. Thank you for such a great day and for the many topics that were covered by the understanding panel of experts.

Thank you for the sessions you provided. I have been recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s and struggling to accept my diagnosis. After the session, I am feeling more positive and optimistic for the future. It was useful to hear others’ experiences and hearing their thoughts, many the same as me when first diagnosed. What was nice is how those negative thoughts were turned into positives, giving hope for the future.