KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2025 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Grant awarded to support those with Parkinson's disease in AZ

Nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

The organization recently received an $800,000 grant from the Pat Simone Charitable Foundation to assist those living with the disease in Arizona.

The money will fund research conducted at Barrow Neurological Institute, according to James Beck–chief scientific officer for the Parkinson’s Foundation.

"People all throughout the world experience Parkinson’s disease and so, you know, the advances we make here in Arizona, the advances we make here in the United States have an opportunity to really impact people globally," he said.

Beck said the grant would help with expenses associated with the PD GENEration initiative that provides genetic testing and counseling to participants with the disease.

Ignacio Ventura is a reporter for KJZZ. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and a minor in news media and society.