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A Celebration of Excellence 2011
In an event hosted by Parkinson Alberta Society on November 23, 2011, Alberta researcher Dr. Clinton McCracken, a post-doctoral fellow from the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute received a $100,000 grant from Parkinson Society Canada to further his research in deep brain stimulation (DBS). Dr. McCracken received this award during an event titled A Celebration of Excellence to recognize him along with the many donors who support innovative Parkinson’s research in Canada.
The celebration was enjoyed by friends and supporters of Parkinson Alberta Society and attended by special guests including Ivy Lim-Carter, Director, National Research & Clinical Programs, Parkinson Society Canada, Marjie Zacks, National Director, Communications & Marketing, Parkinson Society Canada, Doug Darling and Bruce Strachan, Parkinson Alberta Society Board of Directors, Dan Cooney, Parkinson Society Canada Board of Directors, and Dr. Clinton McCracken, the grant recipient.
Following a light lunch and opening remarks from John Petryshen, CEO, Parkinson Alberta Society, Bruce Strachan, Parkinson Alberta Society Board of Directors, acknowledged the tremendous success of the 2011 Parkinson SuperWalks across Alberta and the enthusiasm and passion shown to make this event successful by Alberta’s many volunteers. It was noted that together they raised over $308,000 to help fund the search for a cure through the National Research Program. The top 2011 SuperWalkers in Alberta were recognized:
• Calgary: Laurine Fillo $14,836.25
• Edmonton: Ali Grzela $6,825.00
• Red Deer: Grant Kozak $4,050.00
• Cochrane: Bob Head $2,770.00
• Med Hat: Bill Thompson $2,676.00
• Lethbridge: Lena Van Pelt $2,585.00
• Grande Prairie: Marg Abbott-Brown $2,110.00
Dan Cooney spoke on behalf of the Parkinson Society Canada Board of Directors, noting that the National Research Program has been in operation since 1981 and has awarded over 385 grants totalling $19.5 million dollars.
“We have a longstanding tradition of support for Canadian Research and our Canadian researchers are well respected the world over,” stated Cooney. “It is well known that Canada is home to some of the world’s finest Parkinson’s researchers. We are making a difference and we are being recognized on the world stage as major contributors to the advancement of the collective, global understanding of Parkinson’s disease. Canadian researchers can be proud of their accomplishments. We are proud of their accomplishments and we are happy to support their scientific quest. “
This year alone, the National Research Program is supporting 40 projects across Canada – 28 are new projects and 12 are continuing in their second year.
Parkinson Society Canada funds with your support:
• 12 Pilot Project Grants
• 3 New Investigator Grants
• 2 Basic Research Fellowships
• 1 Clinical Movement Disorders Fellowship
• 1 Clinical Research Fellowship
• 7 Graduate Student Awards
• 2 Psychosocial Doctoral Awards
This represents a commitment of $1.8 million towards Parkinson’s research this year.
Highlighting the event, in a symbolic ceremony, Dr. McCracken was presented with a cake decorated with a delicious edible cheque guarded by sweet ‘Lab Rats” and received an honourary Parkinson Research Lab Coat.
To close the event, Laurine Fillo, Alberta’s top Parkinson SuperWalker 2011 also received a Parkinson Research Lab Coat to honour her leading SuperWalk fundraising efforts to support the Parkinson search for a cure.
See Also
Dr. Clinton McCracken Backgrounder