Parkinson's Association of San Diego

What Parkinson's Association of San Diego does

Parkinson's Association of San Diego (PASD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 (with roots in an early-1980s support group started by Dr. Robert Mowry and Mary Mowry) that serves individuals with Parkinson's disease and their care partners across San Diego County. Its mission is to enable those impacted by Parkinson's to live their best lives through support, resources, and education — delivered entirely free of charge at the point of use.

The organization operates a broad portfolio of programs rather than a single product: the Mentor Program pairs patients with trained peer mentors; the Good Start Program delivers 2-hour educational sessions for newly diagnosed patients; Empowerment Day is an annual 500+ attendee conference; the Step By Step 5K Walk is the signature annual fundraiser; and a PASD Parkinson's Resource Center functions as a curated online learning hub. Supporting offerings include 100+ episode podcast series (PASD Microcasts), a bimonthly PASD Journal launched January 2026, Medical Safety Program forms, Free Mobility Devices, Care Partner Education, Mental Health Professional CE program (6 CE units), Tremble Clefs music therapy, FACT transportation, Quick Grants, and a Support Groups directory across the county. Exercise is delivered through partnerships (Rock Steady Boxing, NeuroLab 360, Dance for PD, LSVT Big and Loud). Bilingual Hispanic community services are run by a dedicated liaison in the South Bay area.

PASD is funded entirely through donations (individual, tribute, planned), grants, corporate sponsorships (pharma including Abbott, AbbVie, Acadia, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Supernus; healthcare systems including Sharp), and Walk proceeds. The 2026 Walk raised over $270,000 from 1,300+ participants — characterized as the best in the organization's history. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with a Medical Advisory Director, and operates with a small staff of approximately 4-10 led by Executive Director Stephanie Murphy, EdD.

Name

Parkinson's Association of San Diego

Legal name

Parkinson's Association of San Diego

Website

https://parkinsonsassociation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Parkinson's Association of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving San Diego County residents with Parkinson's disease and their care partners, delivering free programs including peer mentoring, support groups, educational events, exercise referrals, and an annual fundraising walk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parkinson's Disease Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Parkinson’s & Movement-Disorder Personal Care Support (HSABABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL), Personal Care & ADL Assistance (bathing, dressing, toileting, mobility) (HLADAGAA)

Keywords

• Parkinson's support services
• Chronic disease support
• Nonprofit healthcare
• Patient advocacy programs
• Community health education

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Tribute Donations: PASD relies heavily on individual donations and tribute donations from community members. The organization accepts general donations, planned gifts, and other financial support from donors.
2. Annual Walk Fundraising: The main fundraising event is the annual Step By Step 5k Walk held each April in Liberty Station, San Diego. The 2026 walk raised over $270,000 with over 1300 participants.
3. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and local businesses. The website displays dozens of sponsor logos including Abbott, AbbVie, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and many others.
4. Grants: PASD is funded by grants as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

PASD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free support, education, and resources to people with Parkinson's disease and their care partners in San Diego County. Core offerings include a Mentor Program pairing patients with trained peer mentors, the Good Start Program for newly diagnosed individuals, support groups, exercise referrals, mental health professional education, a Medical Safety Program with downloadable hospital forms, free mobility devices, a bimonthly online journal, a podcast series, and annual community events including Empowerment Day and the Step By Step 5K Walk.

Product overview

The Parkinson's Association of San Diego operates as a non-profit service organization rather than a software product company. Its offering is a unified set of community support services organized around a central online resource center (PASD Parkinson's Resource Center). Key programs include the Mentor Program, Good Start Program for newly diagnosed individuals, annual Empowerment Day event, the Step By Step 5K Walk fundraiser, PASD Journal (bimonthly online magazine), podcast series (PASD Microcasts), Medical Safety Program, Free Mobility Devices Program, Care Partner Education Program, Mental Health Professional Education Program, Support Groups directory, Exercise Opportunities, DBS/HIFU Corner, Tremble Clefs music therapy, FACT Transportation Program, Quick Grants, Speakers Bureau, and Hispanic Community Services. These programs work together to provide comprehensive support, education, resources, and community connection for individuals with Parkinson's and their care partners in San Diego County.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PASD Mentor Program Peer support program connecting individuals with Parkinson's and care partners to trained mentors who have personal experience with the disease, providing one-on-one guidance and emotional support.
• Good Start Program Live 2-hour educational session held three or four times yearly for newly diagnosed individuals and care partners, covering attitude, understanding Parkinson's, physician selection, medications, caregiver support, exercise, nutrition, therapy benefits, research, support groups, and resources.
• Empowerment Day Annual full-day event featuring education and empowerment activities, grown to 500+ participants with 60+ sponsors and vendors and 20 speakers presenting on Parkinson-related topics.
• Step By Step 5K Walk Annual fundraising walk held each April at Liberty Station in San Diego, the organization's main fundraising event.
• PASD Journal Bimonthly online magazine launched January 2026 covering insights from PASD leadership, exercise guidance, advocacy updates, and San Diego Parkinson's community content.
• PASD Microcasts Podcast Series Podcast series featuring short episodes from movement disorder specialists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other experts, with a searchable directory of 100+ episodes.
• Medical Safety Program Downloadable packet of seven forms (Physician Letter, DBS Form, Duopa Form, Rytary Form, Medication List, Personal Contact List, Medical Contacts) for hospital and care facility visits.
• Free Mobility Devices Program Program providing donated and lightly used walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and other mobility devices to individuals with Parkinson's, managed in partnership with Harmony Home Medical.
• Care Partner Education Program Free educational program helping care partners stay educated, strong, and healthy while supporting their loved ones with Parkinson's.
• Mental Health Professional Parkinson's Education Program Six-CE unit program introducing clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers to medical, psychological, and social intricacies of working with Parkinson's patients.
• Support Groups Searchable directory and calendar of support groups throughout San Diego County for individuals with Parkinson's and care partners.
• Tremble Clefs Music therapy program using singing to address speech and voice challenges associated with Parkinson's disease.
• Quick Grants Program Small grants offered to San Diego individuals, programs, and organizations that directly impact lives of those with Parkinson's and their families.
• Hispanic Community Services Bilingual services and Rock Steady Boxing classes in the South Bay area for Spanish-speaking individuals with Parkinson's, led by Hispanic Community Liaison Lisbeth Garces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1300 walk participants and $270,000 raised in 2026
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Independent Parkinson's Network (IPN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPASD is a member of Independent Parkinson's Network, a consortium of regional nonprofit Parkinson's organizations working together to find a cure and support those living with the disease. IPN includes organizations such as Parkinson Association of the Rockies, Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, Michigan Parkinson Foundation, and others across the country.
• Sharp HealthCaremajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSharp is a sponsor of the Good Start Program (February 2026), supporting educational programming for newly diagnosed Parkinson's patients.
• Abbott (DBS)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerAbbott provides support for the PASD Mentor Program as a sponsor, helping connect Parkinson's patients with trained mentors.
• Supernus PharmaceuticalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupernus sponsors the Care Partner Education Program, supporting resources for caregivers of Parkinson's patients.
• Rock Steady Boxing Downtown San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner exercise program providing boxing-style workouts specifically designed for Parkinson's patients. Mike Reeder is both a Rock Steady Boxing trainer and on the PASD Board of Directors.
• NeuroLab 360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization offering rehab and wellness resources to the local Parkinson's community. President Jessie Agrimis serves on the PASD Board of Directors as 2nd Vice President.
• Michael J. Fox FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Parkinson's organization. PASD Board President Marty Acevedo serves as a policy advocate with MJFF and is on the Community Advisory Panel for the PPMI study.
• Davis Phinney FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Parkinson's foundation focused on quality of life. PASD Board President Marty Acevedo serves as an Ambassador for the foundation.
• Parkinson's FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing Parkinson's resources and support. Listed as a national Parkinson's organization partner on PASD website.
• Harmony Home MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with PASD to manage the Free Mobility Devices program, providing donated walkers, wheelchairs, canes and other devices to Parkinson's patients at no cost.
• Acadia PharmaceuticalsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical sponsor of PASD programs and events, supporting the Independent Parkinson's Network as well.
• UC San Diego HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner. Dr. Brenton Wright serves as Medical Advisor to PASD and is a Voluntary Clinical Professor at UCSD working on clinical trials.
• Scripps HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner. Movement Disorder Nurse Practitioner Sherrie Gould works at Scripps Clinic Center for Neurorestoration. Several programs originated at Scripps Clinic.
• Partner in AgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany helping older adults connect to resources for aging. Founder Jonathan Schwartz speaks at PASD events and Steve Steinberg coordinates the Young Onset Parkinson's program.
• PMD AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization listed as a Parkinson's partner. Collaborates on educational webinars and resources.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Davis Phinney Foundation: National foundation focused on helping people with Parkinson's live well today. PASD Board President serves as an Ambassador, and both organizations share the quality-of-life, education, and community-event mission.
• Parkinson's Foundation: National nonprofit providing Parkinson's research, education, and direct services including a nationwide network of local chapters. PASD partners with Parkinson's Foundation and operates at a similar mission level in a single county.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation: Largest Parkinson's research-focused nonprofit, also funding education and community programs. PASD Board President Marty Acevedo serves on MJFF's PPMI Community Advisory Panel, indicating close peer collaboration.
• American Parkinson Disease Association: National Parkinson's organization providing support groups, education, and research funding nationwide. Operates a similar service-stack model to PASD across multiple regional chapters.

Direct peers

• Parkinson Association of the Rockies: Regional Colorado Parkinson's nonprofit offering support, education, exercise, and community programs. Direct peer through membership in the Independent Parkinson's Network with comparable program stack.
• Rock Steady Boxing: Nonprofit affiliate network offering boxing-based exercise programs for Parkinson's. PASD partners with Rock Steady Boxing Downtown San Diego (with the trainer on PASD's Board), making this a delivery-channel peer as well.
• Michigan Parkinson Foundation: Michigan-based regional Parkinson's nonprofit providing support groups, education, and community resources. Co-member of the Independent Parkinson's Network alongside PASD.
• PMD Alliance: National organization providing Parkinson's educational webinars and resources. PASD explicitly lists PMD Alliance as a partner and both focus on patient/professional education.
• Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania: Western Pennsylvania regional Parkinson's nonprofit delivering education, support, and community programming. Direct peer via Independent Parkinson's Network membership.

Emerging players

• Brian Grant Foundation: Foundation focused on exercise, nutrition, and wellness for people with Parkinson's. Comparable mission around quality of life, with smaller scale and exercise-first orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@parkinsonsassociationsandiego
• Facebookfacebook.com/parkinsonsassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parkinsons-association-san-diego
• Instagraminstagram.com/parkinsonsassociationsandiego
• Xx.com/parkinsonsassoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Parkinson's Association of San Diego