The St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations today received a generous donation of $10,000 from the Savannah Parkinson Support Group to benefit the St. Joseph’s/Candler Movement Disorders Program.

The funds will make an immediate impact on the region’s first medical program dedicated to treating movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

The Savannah Parkinson Support Group raised the money through an annual dinner and the Tybee Island Kite Festival. Founded more than 25 years ago, the Savannah Parkinson Support Group is a Coastal Georgia non-profit that provides support to those stricken with Parkinson disease and other movement disorders  as well as their caretakers.

“This is an extraordinary effort by a very dedicated group of volunteers whose families have been touched by Parkinson Disease,” said Vernice Rackett, Executive Director of the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations. “We are very thankful that they support our Movement Disorders Program. This money will help others get the treatment they need without having to travel long distances.”

The Movement Disorders Program is the area leader in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, Essential Tremor and other movement disorders. It is the only program in the region with deep brain stimulation surgery specialists and technology to help eliminate or control involuntary movements that occur in neurological patients. It is the only program in the region with integrated teams of certified balance physical therapists, certified occupational therapists and speech therapists who work together to treat and manage movement disorders.

Dr. Alice Gerber, founder of Savannah Parkinson Support Group, is also a caregiver for a Parkinson patient. She learned first-hand of the challenges, fear, and frustrations that these patients face daily. The job of the Support Group has been to help both patients and caregivers  to realize that life shouldn’t stop for the patient or the family with such a diagnosis. Instead, the patient and the caregivers should educate themselves and tap into a network of people with similar problems and issues. That’s where Savannah Parkinson Support Group steps in: helping those newly diagnosed, or those who have been fighting for a while, to get the information, education, or support that they need.

“We are pleased to be able to support St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Movement Disorders Program at this time,” says Sarah Bernzott, Support Group Administrator. “We’ve been involved with St. Joseph’s/Candler for many years. At one time, there were no doctors to help our members. Today, we have a rapidly growing program that is working hard to support them.”

To learn more about the St. Joseph’s/Candler Movement Disorders Program, go to www.sjchs.org/movement.