The American Brain Coalition (ABC)
The coalition, spearheaded by the AAN and the Society for Neuroscience, is bringing together neurological and psychiatric organizations that represent interested patients, families, and professionals to collectively advocate for increased support of research that will lead to better treatment, services, and support. The organization is also pressing for a national commitment towards finding cures for individuals with disabling neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Under the direction of Francis I. Kittredge, Jr., MD, chair of the coalition, "ABC hopes to achieve the same level of public awareness and support for diseases of the brain that have been realized by the American Heart Association for heart disease and the American Cancer Society for cancer. Only when the public understands how mental illness and diseases of the brain affect 50 million of their relatives, friends, and neighbors will we attract the level of support for research and care needed to prevent, control, and cure these diseases. Each ABC member has a responsibility to network with colleagues in their field so that ABC can achieve this level of awareness."

Tremor Action Network was inducted as an Associate ABC Member during the 57th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Meeting.

For more information on the ABC and its advocacy issues, visit their website at www.americanbraincoalition.org or contact Katie Sale at ksale@americanbraincoalition. org or (763) 557-2913.

Reference: American Brain Coalition, 2005. ABC Gains Members. AAN News, July.

Life in Motion
The nationwide initiative was designed to raise awareness about movement disorders and improve the quality of care for the estimated 40+ million Americans who are living with these disorders, including essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, dystonia, restless legs syndrome, spasticity and others.

Fifty patient advocacy organizations, foundations, and professional societies joined a coalition in support of the Life in Motion campaign. Like WE MOVE, coalition members committed to raising awareness about movement disorders, emphasizing the importance of early and accurate diagnosis, and illustrating available treatment options.

Life in Motion launched at the 57th AAN meeting. The Campaign included media outreach, public service announcements, and community outreach highlighting real stories of people living with movement disorders. Additionally, through the efforts of Life in Motion, October was designated Movement Disorders Awareness Month.

Tremor Action Network was pleased to join a coalition in support of WE MOVE's Life in Motion awareness campaign. If you are interested in contributing a story of a person living well with a movement disorder, we encourage you to contact TAN.

Healthcare professionals and people living with movement disorders are encouraged to visit the online Life in Motion Resource Center where they will find information and support resources including...

• downloadable fact sheets about movement disorders
• database of national movement disorder advocacy groups and foundations
• a video depicting what life is like with a movement disorder
• downloadable brochures to help patients more effectively communicate with their healthcare team.

To learn more, please visit the Life in Motion website at:
http://www.life-in-motion.org

Reference: Life in Motion, 2005. Life in Motion Announcement.
Press conference presented at the AAN Annual Meeting, Florida, April 2005.

Brain Awareness Week
Tremor Action Network in partnership with the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) and Dana Alliance has accomplished much during years as a Brain Awareness Week outreach partner. TAN's 2005 BAW Report and 2006 BAW Report are available on the SfN website.

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is a national and international campaign, recognized by 1700 organizations in 57 countries. BAW offers a rare opportunity to focus attention on essential tremor and related movement disorders within the broader context of the brain and brain research.

TAN requests participation in Brain Awareness Week to increase local community awareness about movement disorders. BAW activities come in the following "shapes and sizes..."

• Society for Neuroscience Brain Fact Book: A hard copy or PDF version for the local library, hospital or healthcare provider office.
• TAN Newsletter: The March 2006 issue of Spikes & Spasms features BAW "Get Connected" articles.
• Contact the Media: Call or email local newspapers, radio and TV stations. Share a personal story; e.g., Controlling Tremors. BAW is a wonderful opportunity to spread movement disorder awareness. It is estimated that 40 to upwards of 72 million people have some type of movement disorder.
• Proclaim Brain Awareness Week: Contact officials' offices. Officials have standard procedures for issuing a proclamation. TAN Advocate Judy Yeo was issued a Proclamation from Governor Dave Freudenthal of Wyoming in 2005 and 2006!
• Partnerships : TAN partners with Las Positas College of Livermore, CA. View a list of national and international partners.

BAW Calendar of Events

• Las Positas College Brain Awareness Faire: TAN sponsored an exhibit that included low-tech simulations for Brain Awareness Faire visitors to learn first-hand what it is like to cope with the day-to-day challenge of living with a movement disorder. Tri-Valley Herald staff writer Lea Blevins interviewed Board member Kathleen Welker for her article, Plugging into the brain.
• TAN Advocate Judy Yeo stopped by the office of Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, and also visited with Wyoming Secretary of State, Max Maxfield. Governor Dave Freudenthal proclaimed Brain Awareness Week 2007 on behalf of Tremor Action Network. Secretary of State Maxfield expressed positive response in knowing about Tremor Action Networks dedication in promoting essential tremor awareness, as he has recently made known his diagnosis of essential tremor.
• WBEE 92.5 FM of Rochester, NY aired a daily BAW PSA at the request of Board member Mary Jane Donnelly.
• Alameda County Fairgrounds Science Fair: Tremor Action Network sponsored an exhibit with Valley Health Care that included DANA and Life In Motion campaign resources for Science Fair visitors to learn first-hand about the brain and movement disorders. TAN featured printed materials, low-tech simulations for essential tremor and Parkinson's, and the award winning Life In Motion video.