Our Story

Parkinson's Orange County was formed  on the foundation of a local website, PDBuzz.com, which was developed by a person with Parkinson's.  In 2016, Orange County resident, Lauren Simmons, was diagnosed with Parkinson's at the age of 54.  She left her doctor's office with a diagnosis, no hope and no guidance for resources.  After hearing a similar story over and over, Lauren made it her mission to help those getting diagnosed in her area by getting them connected to the many programs and services available  in Orange County. The website PDBuzz.com went live in 2018.  After six years of growing PD Buzz, it was time to make it an official organization and not just a website run by a  volunteer.  Parkinson's Orange County is that organization and Erin Angelo, our Executive Director, is the person driving us forward.  Our mission is the same as PD Buzz: to help connect people to resources as soon as possible after diagnosis.  You are not alone and we are here to take the journey with you.