It was 2012 when Bill first noticed a slight tremor in his right hand. Within a year, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a progressive, brain-based disease that affects movement and other functions.

Bill began exploring what it meant to live with PD—he noticed challenges with his balance and walking—and learned about a research study taking place at UBC looking at the benefits of exercise for people living with the disease. Bill decided to participate and quickly realized how much better he felt when he incorporated exercise into his daily routine.

When the study concluded and the global pandemic hit, Bill was craving exercise but wasn’t sure where to turn—he tried local gyms but realized he needed specialized support from experts who understood his disease. That’s when he learned about the BC Brain Wellness Program, part of UBC’s Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, which offers lifestyle and wellness programs for individuals living with chronic brain conditions, their care partners and healthy agers. The program is free to participants and is run entirely on donations.

Bill started taking exercise classes, ranging from yoga to strength, balance and interval training, and has never looked back.

“The BC Brain Wellness Program makes a huge difference for people like me,” says Bill. “It’s been such a positive experience both physically and socially, as I look forward to the classes every week.”

Bill is so passionate about BC Brain Wellness that he has donated to the program since 2021. Driven to inspire others to give, Bill became a challenge donor, offering challenge funds to encourage more donations and create excitement around supporting the cause.

In April of last year, Bill was one of more than 150 people who came together to raise over $39,000 on Giving Day for the program, funding that directly supports delivery of more than 25 classes to nearly 800 participants.

“The BC Brain Wellness Program simply wouldn’t exist without people like Bill—our program relies entirely on the generosity of donors,” says neurologist Dr. Silke Cresswell, Co-founder and Director of the BC Brain Wellness Program and UBC Associate Professor. “Initiatives like Giving Day allow us to offer a wide range of programming at no cost to participants, and we’re grateful to have community support.”

Now 80 years old, Bill feels the benefits from BC Brain Wellness classes in his everyday life, from increased energy levels to better balance and an overall heightened sense of wellbeing. An avid traveler prior to his diagnosis—he’s been to all seven continents and has camped in almost every Canadian province and territory—he hopes to continue his travels long into the future.

“Brain health affects all of us, and the BC Brain Wellness Program is helping people prevent injuries and live healthier lives,” he says. “Anyone who can, should donate to this program which helps so many people.”