Letter from the Chair: December 2025
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As 2025 comes to a close, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generosity, your belief in our mission, and your unwavering commitment towards our mission of improving the lives of people living with Parkinson’s disease.
This year, “we”, the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute (PPRI), received more than $2.5 million in donations from you, our community members, and committed over $6.3 million to fund many new and innovative Parkinson’s disease (PD) research projects – aiming to bring us closer to earlier detection of PD, more effective treatments for those living with the disease, and ultimately, a cure.
A Transformational Investment in the Future
The creation of the Drs. Stuchly Fund for Excellence in Parkinson’s Research was our first exciting milestone of 2025. This visionary gift of $2.12 million from PPRI, combined with a minimum additional commitment of $800,000 in matching funds from UBC, will support the establishment of a new granttenured faculty position within both the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, Division of Neurology, and the Pacific Parkinson’s Research Centre (PPRC) at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
We plan to make an announcement in early 2026 introducing the outstanding clinician-researcher who will assume this role to focus on advancing screening, precision biomarkers, preventive interventions, and collaboration with leading global experts.
Honouring a Visionary Leader: The Dale Parker Fund
In October, we proudly launched the Dale Parker Fund for Excellence in Parkinson’s Disease Research, celebrating the remarkable life and legacy of former PPRI Chair Dale Parker.
PPRI has been able to draw on the generosity of our general donor community over many years to support three major research projects, totaling more than $2 million, each designed to push the boundaries of what is possible in Parkinson’s research.
A Phase 2 Feasibility Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Multi-Strain Probiotic in the Treatment of Early Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of a Group-Based Lifestyle Intervention Program to Improve Outcomes and Reduce Health Care Costs in Parkinson’s Disease.
Acting on Your Dreams: Building the Vancouver REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder Cohort.
Driving Discovery Across the Research Spectrum
In the latter part of 2025, PPRI supported the Brain Energetics study, led at PPRC by Dr. Vesna Sossi, with $192,000 enabling eight (8) additional participants to join this groundbreaking study which examines how exercise impacts the bioenergetics of Parkinson’s disease.
We are very pleased to be able provide funding, for the first time, to support pioneering research led by Dr. Stefan Lang, a clinical researcher at the UBC Faculty of Medicine, with $85,000 in funding. Dr. Lang’s research, Exploring Neurophysiological Biomarkers of Non-Motor Symptom Fluctuations in Parkinson’s Disease Using Chronic Deep Brain Stimulation Recordings, aims to deepen our understanding of the non-motor symptom patterns in Parkinson’s and their underlying neural mechanisms.
The Bjorn Moller Research Repository (BMRR), launched in fall 2024 thanks to the extremely generous donation from Bjorn and Rochelle Moller, continues to progress in attracting participants. The BMRR serves as an important central repository within PPRC for PD research. By retaining biological samples, clinical data, and demographic information, the BMRR speeds the initiation of almost every PD research project funded by our community of donors to PPRI. Between November 12, 2024, and November 17, 2025, 155 participants enrolled in the BMRR, with 133 completing a baseline in-person visit to provide bio-samples.
Please consider participating in this extremely important initiative, if you have not done so already, by contacting the BMRR Project Manager, Dr. Samantha Schaffner at bjorn.moller.repository@ubc.ca) or (604) 822-3177. Everyone over the age of 19 can contribute to the BMRR, whether living with PD or participating as part of the control group.
Many members of our board have personally participated in the BMRR, often alongside our partners, and I can say the experience has been truly enlightening. Collecting data for future research can be time-consuming and requires great attention to detail. By contributing to the growth of the BMRR, each of us can play another vital role in accelerating Parkinson’s disease research.
In Memoriam: Dr. Barry McBride
We were deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Barry McBride in early fall 2025. A cherished and extraordinary member of the PPRI Board and Chair of PPRI’s Research Committee, Dr. McBride’s sage advice, profound compassion, sparkling humour, and unwavering commitment to advancing Parkinson’s research inspired us all.
Looking Ahead
Please mark your calendars and join us for the Annual Scientific Briefing on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, UBC. Doors will open at 4:30 PM, with presentations beginning promptly at 5:00 PM.
With Deep Appreciation
On behalf of the PPRI Board, I would like to thank each of you for your generosity, partnership, and belief with us that quality PD research has the potential to change lives.
Wishing you and your loved ones a merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah and a joyful holiday season.
Warm regards,
Mr. Don Anderson
Chair, Pacific Parkinson’s Research Institute (PPRI)