The World Parkinson’s Program (WPP) had the pleasure to connect and work with Omotola Thomas in 2020. Omotola started a fundraiser for WPP with the goal of helping people with Parkinson’s in Africa access medications. Omotola raised over $11,000. All of these funds have and are being used to provide free Sinemet to patients in need in Cameroon and Ghana. Omotola’s accomplishments do not simply stop here. She is an impeccable, inspiring, intelligent, and passionate woman. It has been a pleasure for WPP to be working with her. Below is her complete bio!
Omotola Thomas is the founder of Parkinson’s Africa – an organization dedicated to empowering Africans affected by Parkinson’s disease. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2016, at 35. Born and raised in Nigeria, she has also lived in America, South Africa, and most recently, England. While in America, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering and a master’s degree in Project Management; both from the George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Omotola is currently serving as a board member for the World Parkinson Coalition; a patient advocate for the International Parkinson’s Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC) Africa; a patients advisory group member for the Community for Research Involvement and Support for people with Parkinson’s (CRISP) at King’s Hospital; and as an ambassador for the 6th World Parkinson Congress to be held in Barcelona in 2022. She is also a founding member of PD Avengers – an international group of advocates determined to end Parkinson’s.
She is a writer, speaker, and visual storyteller. Shortly after her diagnosis in 2016, she created a blog – ParkinStand® – to chronicle parts of her journey with Parkinson’s disease. She volunteers extensively for Parkinson’s related causes and charities. Some of those activities have included: