By CHAT News Today

Parkinson Association of Alberta to close office in Medicine Hat

Nov 16, 2017 | 7:51 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Parkinson Association of Alberta has announced it will be closing its offices in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Red Deer.

CEO John Petryshen, speaking over the phone from Calgary, says the decision to close these local offices has been on the organization’s mind for the past year.

“We really had to take a look at our business model in some of our regions, and take a look at what we could be doing to be reducing any administrative costs, but not affect what we’re doing everyday for people with Parkinson’s and their families” he said.

Petryshen says the money being paid to rent office space will be going towards the organization to help people with the disease.

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“It doesn’t sound like much to bigger charities, but when you alleviate $700 or $800 a month, that adds up at the end of the year, that we can be providing more services, we could be providing more programs to people living in those communities,” he said.

According to a news release, the organization says it has been faced with a substantial downturn in the economy in the past two years, similar to other not-for-profit organizations. The organization says it also finds itself in a deficit situation, noting fundraisers such as the Flexxaire Step ‘n Stride have brought in lower amounts than previous years.

Petryshen says the Medicine Hat Step ‘n Stride raised approximately $17,000 for the Association when it was held in September, down for almost $25,000 in 2016.

Although the main offices will be closing, the association will continue to operate in the affected cities, switching to a home office model, similar to their Lloydminster region. Local directors will receive a cell phone from head office to stay connected with families and patients.

“What we will be doing is working with other health charities to see if there is a meeting room, or a counselling room we will be able to rent on an as-needed basis in the regions,” said Petryshen.

The offices will be closing on December 1.