MINNEAPOLIS, April 09 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medtronic, Inc. , announced it has joined forces with the Davis Phinney Foundation to raise awareness among individuals with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers about how to improve their lives today. Together, through educational programs focused on daily victories over Parkinson's disease, they aim to increase understanding about the importance of exercise, living a healthy lifestyle and the consideration of various treatment options during April's National Parkinson's Awareness Month and throughout the year.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/davisphinneyfoundation/36862/
The Davis Phinney Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of people living with Parkinson's disease today by providing information and inspiration through research and programs. The foundation was established by Olympic cycling legend Davis Phinney, who was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease in 2000 and has maintained an active lifestyle through a combination of exercise, a positive attitude and various treatments. In 2008, after thorough consideration, Phinney found additional relief from debilitating tremors and stiff limbs and joints after receiving Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy.
"For years, managing my Parkinson's disease proved to be a daunting task day in and day out," said Davis Phinney, founder of the Davis Phinney Foundation. "Staying active and positive are the main reasons I have been able to maintain a high quality of life. Through our relationship with Medtronic, we have a great opportunity to encourage others living with Parkinson's disease to learn more about how they can achieve victories over their disease each day."
Through the support of a grant from Medtronic, the Davis Phinney Foundation has launched a series of symposia titled, The Victory Summit. These symposia will bring together national and local researchers to discuss the importance and science of speech therapy, exercise, deep brain stimulation therapy, and other treatments to achieve the reduction of certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Additionally, Medtronic will be creating an educational program to distribute patient and healthcare informational resources.
"We hope that Davis Phinney's inspirational story and his success with various treatments, including Medtronic DBS Therapy, inspires others living with Parkinson's disease to achieve victories over their condition," said Richard E. Kuntz, M.D., president of the Neuromodulation business and senior vice president at Medtronic. "Medtronic is committed to providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease, including Parkinson's disease, and we are grateful to Davis for partnering with us to help spread the word about how to live well with Parkinson's through lifestyle choices and treatment options like DBS therapy."
About Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder. It occurs when certain nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired. When approximately 80 percent of neurons are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear. Parkinson's disease affects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60, with the average age of onset being 60 years. The risk of developing Parkinson's disease increases with age. In the United States, it is estimated that 60,000 new cases of Parkinson's disease are diagnosed each year, with 1.5 million Americans currently living with the disease.
About the Davis Phinney Foundation
The Davis Phinney Foundation's (DPF) mission is to improve the lives of those living with Parkinson's disease today by providing information and inspiration through research and programs. The foundation was established in 2004 by cycling legend Davis Phinney, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 40. The foundation also works to communicate the importance of integrating exercise and a healthy lifestyle into everyday treatment and encourages those impacted by the disease to celebrate the daily victories in their lives. To date, they have funded research at Stanford University, Parkinson's Institute and the University of Colorado.
About Medtronic DBS Therapy
Medtronic DBS Therapy uses a surgically implanted medical device that delivers electrical stimulation to the brain to block the signals that cause the disabling symptoms of various movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease. As a result, individuals with Parkinson's disease who receive DBS therapy may achieve greater control over their body movements. More than 55,000 people worldwide have received Medtronic DBS Therapy for essential tremor, advanced Parkinson's disease and dystonia.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (http://www.medtronic.com/), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 25, 2008. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
Medtronic and the Davis Phinney Foundation
CONTACT: Catherine Peloquin, Public Relations, +1-763-526-2494
Web Site: http://www.medtronic.com/
