It’s hard to believe we’re just six months away from the 7th World Parkinson Congress (WPC), taking place May 24–27, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. This upcoming Congress is especially meaningful—not only does it honor the WPC’s 20th anniversary, but it also marks the first time in a decade that the event returns to North America. We say “honor” because no one is celebrating that we are still here, we would prefer to close our doors and be done with Parkinson’s, so we don’t celebrate, but we do honor the work we have been doing for more than 20 years. Because the Congress rotates to different cities around the world every three years, this is a rare opportunity for those living in North America. If you’ve been thinking about joining us in Phoenix, now is the moment to say yes. Early registration is open here.

My personal connection to Parkinson’s began several years ago when my father was diagnosed. His diagnosis led me to discover the World Parkinson Coalition and eventually inspired the work I now do with the organization. After attending WPC 2023 in Barcelona, I fell in love with this community. I’ve become deeply committed to raising awareness about Parkinson’s and sharing the mission of the WPC. My father passed away just a few months after the last Congress, and continuing this work has become a meaningful way for me to honor him.

In my role as WPC Communications and Outreach Manager, I see every day how powerful communication can be. Each email shared, every social media post, and every conversation about the WPC helps broaden our reach. When you think about the twenty years of connections, friendships, collaborations, new research, and global partnerships that have grown out of this Congress, it’s clear that spreading the word truly matters. With that in mind, I’d love to welcome you to join us at WPC 2026—and to help share the news with your community.

I’m also excited to introduce our WPC 2026 Creators, a new program featuring social media creators and influencers in the Parkinson’s space. These individuals are helping us reach even more people and bring greater visibility to the Congress. Many of them may already be familiar faces to you:
Eric Aquino (USA), Carl Carter-Schwendler (USA), Esther Labib-Kiyarash (USA), Melissa Livingston (USA), Dr. Annelien Oosterbaan (The Netherlands), and André Tal (Brazil).
All of them will be in Phoenix, and we hope you’ll follow their amazing work online.

We often hear the phrase “It takes a village,” and that philosophy truly resonates with me. One of my favorite quotes captures this spirit perfectly:

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” — Edward Everett Hale

Each of us can do something to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease.

Behind the scenes, there is an extraordinary amount of work involved in planning each World Parkinson Congress—the only fully inclusive international Parkinson’s conference that brings basic and translational researchers, clinicians, people with Parkinson’s, care partners, and more into the same space. Offering a scientific conference of this caliber while also incorporating wellness and creativity is no small task. Our Executive Director, Eli (Elizabeth) Pollard, inspires me daily with her passion and leadership, and we are grateful for the hundreds of people who contribute to this effort, from planning committees to on-site volunteers.

Now that volunteer applications for WPC 2026 have closed, many in the community are asking how else they can support the Congress. Right now, the most impactful thing you can do is help spread the word.

Here are a few easy ways to help promote WPC 2026:

· Download graphics and our Social Media Toolkit here.

· Share a graphic or message from the Toolkit on your social media pages.

· Spread the word to friends, colleagues, and organizations—send an email or make a personal introduction.

· If you’re part of an organization, share a WPC flyer with your network.

· Attending an event? Bring a WPC flyer and help raise awareness.

· Join the WPC Red Thread Project.

You can also support us simply by visiting the WPC social media pages which you can find here (Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, YouTube, Threads, LinkedIn, and TikTok) and sharing our posts or videos with one click.

One video I especially encourage you to share is the welcome video from the Mayor of Phoenix, Kate Gallego, inviting everyone to Arizona for the 7th World Parkinson Congress. It’s a wonderful way to introduce others to WPC 2026.

We are incredibly excited about this milestone Congress in the WPC’s 20th year. Your support in spreading the word can help make WPC 2026 the most impactful Congress yet—and its positive effects on the Parkinson’s community will ripple far beyond the event itself.

Julie Winn is the WPC Communications & Outreach Manager. The WPC 2026 will be her second time attending a World Parkinson Congress.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this post reflect that of the authors solely. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of the World Parkinson Coalition®

It Takes a Village: Help Us Share the Word About WPC 2026