Alliance of Independent Regional Parkinson Organizations (AIRPO)
Houston Area Parkinson Society is pleased to be a member of the Alliance of Independent Regional Parkinson Organizations (AIRPO), a consortium formed with the shared goals of finding a cure for Parkinson’s and supporting those who live with the disease. AIRPO encourages collaboration, leverages organizational strengths and maximizes efficiency within its member organizations, which include Parkinson Association of the Rockies, Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma, Houston Area Parkinson Society, Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Southwest Parkinson Society, Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson Association of the Carolinas, Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, Parkinson’s Association of Northern California, Parkinson Association of Alabama and Dallas Area Parkinson Society.
The creation of AIRPO formalized a collaboration that began in 2009 between the Parkinson Foundation and several independent regional nonprofit organizations, who have now become AIRPO’s founding members. This partnership has allowed AIRPO to grow significantly over the years and in 2021, after many years of support from the Parkinson’s Foundation, AIRPO now functions as a stand-alone organization.
Houston Area Parkinson Society is a proud member of AIRPO, accessing the many benefits of shared resources and perspectives from prominent and innovative Parkinson’s organizations from across the country. By expanding communication on a national scale, we are devoted to adopting new ideas and treatments generated through AIRPO and will continue to provide the latest services and programs to help people affected by the disease. AIRPO provides the opportunity to collaborate with our peers around the country who are also providing valuable services to their local Parkinson’s communities:
To be accepted to AIRPO, members must be able to demonstrate their credentials as independent nonprofit organizations by offering programs and direct services to their local community that aim to improve quality of life and daily living to those living with Parkinson’s or caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s. Nonprofit organizations that are interested in learning about AIRPO should contact chair, Kathleen Crist at crist@haps.org or co-chair Christine Haythorn at chaythorn@pfwpa.org.