(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) announced today that on Wednesday, February 22, Deborah Brooks, the President & CEO of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and Carol Walton, the Executive Director of the Parkinson Alliance were unanimously elected to join the PAN Board of Directors.

Said PAN Board Chair Anne J. Udall: “I am extremely delighted to have Debi and Carol join us on the Board of Directors at PAN. This step marks an important milestone in the Parkinson’s community. As our grassroots advocacy program grows, so does our community diversity on the Board. It is important that PAN serve as a truly unified voice for this community, and with Debi and Carol on the Board of Directors, we can do that.”

Deborah W. Brooks joined The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in October 2000. Under her leadership, The Michael J. Fox Foundation has become the single largest funder of Parkinson’s disease research outside of the U.S. government. To date, the Foundation has funded or directed $70 million for research.

Carol Walton understands, first hand, about Parkinson’s disease. Her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1981. In 1994, Ms. Walton attended a Parkinson’s Action Network Public Policy Forum in Washington, DC and became an advocate for research. During that forum she met Margaret and Martin Tuchman who were also advocates and wanted to raise funds for research. They offered Ms. Walton the opportunity to head their foundation. In 1999 they started the Parkinson Alliance. She now is dedicated to finding a cure for this disease so others do not suffer as her father did.

Said Udall: “I know I speak on behalf of the Board and staff of PAN when I say that we all look forward to working with Debi and Carol, and know that they will serve as invaluable Board members. Our community works best when we’re united, and having them with us at PAN makes us more united than ever before.”

The Parkinson’s Action Network (PAN) is the leading advocacy voice of the Parkinson’s community—more than one million Americans and their families. Through education and interaction with the Parkinson’s community, scientists, lawmakers, opinion leaders, and the public, PAN leads the fight to ease the burden and find a cure. PAN increases awareness about Parkinson’s disease and seeks federal support for Parkinson’s research. For more information on the Parkinson’s Action Network, or to get involved, please visit www.parkinsonsaction.org or call 1-800-850-4726.