Brian Grant Foundation Celebrates Community for Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April.

Month-long campaign culminates in the organization’s 13th annual gala on April 25, 2024, featuring Blazers legend Brian Grant and other members of the Parkinson’s community.

Portland, Ore. (March 7, 2024) – April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and the Brian Grant Foundation (BGF) is celebrating the Parkinson’s community with a month of special programs and events, including its 13th annual “Shake It ‘Til We Make It” gala on April 25, 2024 at 6pm at Castaway Portland. The gala, presented by Dick’s Auto Group, Jamba Juice, Moda Health, and Pivot Group will bring together 250 guests to raise essential support for BGF’s programs to empower people impacted by Parkinson’s disease to lead active and fulfilling lives.

“Building a community of people who support one another to live what’s possible today is the foundation of our programs to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s,” says Katrina Kahl, executive director of the Brian Grant Foundation. “We’re excited to come together to raise awareness of Parkinson’s throughout the month of April.”

“Shake It ‘Til We Make It” launched in 2010, two years after former Blazer Brian Grant was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease. The event includes a four-course dinner, live and silent auctions, and a program celebrating the people and organizations that have made BGF’s achievements possible. In addition to the event’s presenting sponsors, gold sponsors include AbbVie, CWC Advisors, Jordan Brand, ‘Ohana Ventures, NBA Cares, Pearl Catering, Portland Trail Blazers, and Sapphire Health Services. Tickets are available at briangrant.org/gala.

In April, BGF will also launch the fifth season of its podcast, “On Time: A Parkinson’s Podcast” with seasoned radio host Larry Gifford, who is living with Parkinson’s disease. Larry and his guests will discuss how stigma affects people with Parkinson’s, to help overcome the social isolation that many people with the disease encounter.

BGF will also be the recipient of the 50/50 raffle at the Blazers game on April 11, 2024, which is World Parkinson’s Day. Anyone attending the game that night against the Golden State Warriors can purchase raffle tickets and support our programs for people with Parkinson’s.

For more information about BGF’s programs and events in April, visit our events page.