Page 18, Whitby Free Press. Wednesday, June 2, 1993 CHERYL VAN LUVEN, president of the Durham Region chapter of the Parkinsonl Foundation of Canada, presented a bu nch of tulips to Durham Centre MPP Drummond White to mark 'Parkinsonl Disease AwarenesS Month' in April. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whilby Free Press Support group can help Parkinson's vicetims By Lucie Rochette Help and support are available fer local victinis of Parkinsen's, a neurological cendition resulting from a chemical imbalance of the brain. A support group is available fer newly di agnesed victinis, and the local chapter aise distributes newsletters, conducts fundrais- ing, arranges guest speakers at meetings, group discussions social activities, visitations ana1 has resource information. The greup with about 40 me mbersh lps residents in cen- tral Durham ogen Membership i,3 $15 a year, and members receive newsletters, Parkinson's, a condition for which there is ne cure. Over 80,000 Canadians are affected with Parkinson's. "There are a lot of people who aren't aware that they have it7, says Cheryl Van Luven, Durhamn chapter president fer the past two years. Syn ptems of Parkinson's in- clue tremnors, probleni speech and a féelinu of imbalance. Parkinsen s can be treated with medication, which reduces the tremers, but the medication is net a cure. "The medication won't take it (Parkinson's) away," says Van "(Medicatien) will make it ensier." Accerding te Van Luven, any- bodr can be affected with Parkin- son s. Parkinsen's deesn't 1ust affect the elderly; it can strie nt a yeung age. The Parkinson Foundation of Canada, Durham Region Chap- ter, rocets on the first Monday ef every month, at St. Mark's United Church in Whitby, at 7:30 p.m. Anyene is welcome to attend, parking is free and refreshments are served. The location is aise wheel- chair-accessible. W[FH HEART 9