Georgia Bio and UCB to Host Parkinson’s Gala Benefitting the National Parkinson Foundation, Wilkins Parkinson's Foundation

Georgia Bio and UCB to Host Parkinson’s Gala Benefitting the National Parkinson Foundation, Wilkins Parkinson's Foundation

<0> Georgia BioMaria Thacker, 404-920-2042 </0>

Georgia Bio, UCB Inc., the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) and the Wilkins Parkinson's Foundation (WPF) invite you to attend an evening celebrating people living with Parkinson's disease and their families, featuring keynote speaker and former NASA astronaut living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), Lieutenant Colonel Richard Clifford. The event will be held at 200 Peachtree in Atlanta on Wednesday, October 15, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The money raised will help improve the lives of PD patients and families affected by the disease.

Register and purchase tickets for this signature event at . Community members are encouraged to purchase individual tickets, tables, sponsor the event and bid on silent auction items.

“This event is an opportunity for people to come together and raise money to support local services for people with Parkinson’s and to fund research for a cure,” says Annie Long of NPF. “Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from one of the most inspirational speakers in the Parkinson’s community – a man who has literally reached for the stars, even after a Parkinson’s diagnosis.”

“People living with severe diseases are what inspire us every day,” said Jeff Wren, President – North America for UCB. “We are committed to supporting those organizations that focus on education, awareness, ongoing research and programs that benefit patients and their caregivers living with a devastating disease like Parkinson’s. These programs are just as important in the patient journey as the medications they receive.”

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting about one million people in the United States and more than four million worldwide. Every year, approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed and the prevalence of the disease is expected to increase substantially in the next 20 years due to the aging of the population. At present, there is no cure for Parkinson’s.

In short, a person’s brain slowly stops producing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. With less and less dopamine, a person has less and less ability to regulate their movements, body and emotions. This process of impairment of brain cells is called neurodegeneration.

At UCB, we have a passionate, long-term commitment to discovering and developing innovative medicines that transform the lives of people living with severe immunological diseases and central nervous system disorders. With 8,500 employees in 40 countries, we invest approximately 26% of revenue in cutting-edge scientific research to meet unmet patient needs. For more information, visit .

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) has worked to address the unmet needs in Parkinson's care and treatment. Through events like this and the annual fundraising walk for Parkinson’s – called Moving Day® Atlanta – NPF has the opportunity to offer an array of resources to the Parkinson’s community including exercise classes and support groups, as well as educational and fundraising events.

The National Parkinson Foundation’s website——is the definitive resource for information about Parkinson’s disease and its Helpline is staffed by PD information specialists who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. The Helpline, 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

The Wilkins Parkinson’s Foundation [WPF,] , is dedicated to raising awareness about Parkinson’s Disease, creating an alliance between existing Parkinson’s related nonprofits, and funding research. WPF brings Parkinson’s disease, and its effects on both patients and their loved ones, into greater public awareness though the use of local, regional and national marketing efforts. This increased awareness creates a general groundswell of support for the entire PD community to inspire activism, involvement and support.

Georgia Bio () is the private, non-profit association whose members include pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies, medical centers, universities and research institutes, government groups and other business organizations involved in the development of life sciences related products and services.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit . You can also contact Maria Thacker at Georgia Bio at 404-920-2042 or email .