SUN LIFE FINANCIAL MDRC

People diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders struggle with long-term impacts on their independence and quality of life. 

The internationally recognized Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre (MDRC) was established in 2006 at Laurier to drive clinical decision making and treatment methods for movement disorders. 

The MDRC’s collaborative team includes researchers, graduate and undergraduate students and local therapists, all contributing to various projects. 

Under the direction of Dr. Quincy Almeida, the centre has become a world-class research facility for Parkinson’s and other movement disorders research, education and assessment.

The centre also provides a unique opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience with patients, clients and research participants during their studies. At the same time the community benefits from access to treatments for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Through its innovative approach to research and rehabilitation, the MDRC has developed PD SAFEx, a rehabilitation program recognized internationally in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

MDRC research has helped patients walk again | Students lead rehabilitation classes | Lounge space helps patients relax during treatment

Funds raised for the Sun Life Financial Movement Disorders Research and Rehabilitation Centre contribute to:

1. Graduate Scholarships

• You can reward and encourage accomplished science students to undertake graduate work in the field of movement disorders and give the MDRC the ability to recruit exceptional students through supporting competitive scholarships. 
• You can give graduate students the opportunity to make real changes in the lives of people with movement disorders.

2. Equipment, Software and Measurement Tools

• To better treat and evaluate patients you can help the MDRC build its equipment, software and measurement assessment tools. 
• These resources mean the MDRC can create effective rehabilitative treatment methods and conduct life-changing research.

3. Research Presentation and Conference Support

• Students come from around the world to be part of the MDRC team. International student participation in the centre provides a global perspective, but there are currently no funds for international students to attend important conferences. 
• You can help students travel to conferences in order to gain exposure to research and give them the opportunity to reveal ground-breaking discoveries to the rest of the world.

4. The MDRC’s Greatest Needs

• You can help the MDRC hire highly qualified support staff, specialists and chairs to create a more efficient and effective treatment centre. 
• Your funding for administrative support, research coordinators, research chairs and a neurologist on site means the centre has more resources to better the lives of patients.

Please consider supporting the MDRC by collecting pledges or making a donation to the 8th Annual Laurier Loop.