Knocking Out Parkinson's Disease One Punch at a Time!
Bravely Confronting Parkinson's Disease with Courage AND Determination. Join Us!
OPWF is a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness while providing real support for real people living with Parkinson's Disease in Lane County. Start moving and feeling better today.
Check out our gym
Brain-Body Connection
Flexibility
Motor Coordination
Muscular Strength
Each session targets:
Our specialized classes combine physical and cognitive exercises to address key symptoms and fight back against Parkinson's.
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world. Here in the US, it affects over 1 million Americans and locally, it is estimated that 1,000+ Lane County residents are living with this disease. Research has shown that one of the best methods for combating the progression of PD is movement.
SERVING A CRITICAL NEED
Removing Barriers to Community Well-Being
People living with Parkinson’s can face barriers that make it difficult to participate in traditional fitness and community activities. Changes in mobility, balance, cognition and speech, fear of falling, financial limitations, and the need for appropriately trained instructors can all affect a person’s ability to stay active and connected.
Oregon Parkinson’s Warriors Foundation works to remove those barriers through Parkinson’s-specific programs for different ability levels, seated and modified exercise options, individualized attention, trained instructors, virtual access, scholarship assistance, support groups for Warriors and care partners, specialized equipment, and connections to community resources.
We believe access to movement, connection, and community should not depend on income, physical ability, or whether someone can navigate a conventional gym environment. Our goal is to help people living with Parkinson’s remain active, independent, connected, and engaged in their community.
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Learn more ABOUT OUR FOUNDATION
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Ready to join our fight against parkinson's?
Note: if you would like to mail a check please send it to our secure PO box:
OPWF P.O. Box 465, Walterville, OR 97489
Thank you!
Words from our Warriors:
“I have been in boxing class for a year. The boxing class, with Lori Havas as the teacher, has become one of the most important parts of my life. It provides challenging, yet do-able exercises for strength, balance and coordination. Lori creates an atmosphere of support and fun that keeps us all going.”
- Don
After six years of teaching Parkinson's classes in shared gym spaces, Lori witnessed firsthand how the growing Warriors community needed more than traditional gyms could offer. As a Certified Parkinson's Fitness Specialist and ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, she envisioned a dedicated space where people with Parkinson's could truly thrive. This led to the creation of the Oregon Parkinson's Warriors Foundation—a welcoming hub where expertise meets compassion, victories (both big and small) are celebrated daily, and members rebuild their confidence through movement and community.
Meet Our Coach:
"Merci-Less" Lori B. Havas
IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH EXERCISE
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GYM
A place where strength and community grow together
Fun, engaging, research-based high-intensity exercise programs
A supportive, judgment-free community environment
Personalized one-on-one training sessions
Non-Contact Boxing
Group exercise classes for all ability levels
Our Parkinson's warrior gym offers:
Our dream is now reality: Eugene's first dedicated Parkinson's fitness center opened its doors in the Fall of 2024, brought to life by the support of our generous community of donors.
Where Movement Meets Community: Our Warriors Gym
