Skip to main content
Participate in Research

Real Talk from Participants

People with Parkinson's and control volunteers share their advice and perspective on joining clinical studies and being an active participant in the quest for a cure.


  • Marcy Schaeffer

    My Research Journey: Doing my Small Part to Support People with Parkinson’s

    Marcy Schaeffer, 68, is a volunteer in the Foundation’s landmark Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). She lives with smell loss, which can be an important signal of risk for Parkinson’s…

  • Allen in Venice

    My Research Journey: How an RBD Diagnosis, Not Parkinson’s, Led to Joining a Landmark Study

    Allen Dance shares his experience with REM sleep behavior disorder and how it led him to the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative.

  • Mike Kinnett headshot

    My Research Journey: Why I Raised My Hand to Participate Shortly After Diagnosis

    Sometimes, a long-awaited diagnosis can lead to a certain sense of relief. For Florida resident Mike Kinnett, age 66, the confirmation of a Parkinson’s diagnosis answered several lingering questions,…

  • Hyam and Tom Kramer

    My Research Journey: “Hope begets more hope”

    Hyam Kramer, 62, explains why he joined the premier Parkinson’s research study shortly after receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

  • Man smiling

    My Research Journey: I Lost My Sense of Smell but Gained Perspective on Parkinson’s

    Joseph Capizzi shares his journey participating in Parkinson’s research after learning he had loss of smell.

  • Otis and Linda Peeples

    My Research Journey: From Falling Out of Bed to Participating in a Parkinson’s Study

    When Otis Peeples learned about the connection between REM sleep behavior disorder and Parkinson’s, he took action and joined a research study.

Close-up portrait

Join the Study that's Changing Everything

The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative is changing how patients, families, doctors and scientists think about brain disease. Now it needs you.

Get Started
We use cookies to ensure that you get the best experience. By continuing to use this website, you indicate that you have read our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.