A B.C. medical student uses music to raise awareness about Parkinson’s Disease

A medical student at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is using music to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease.

Parsa G. Shiran, a senior medical student and hip-hop afrobeat producer — known as Legacy — is debuting a mixed tape on International Parkinson’s Day, April 11 at Van Guards Music Studio in East Vancouver.

Shiran is doing this to honour his grandfather who passed away from Parkinson’s disease.

“I’ve decided to partner with the Parkinson Society British Columbia (PSBC) because they’re committed to creating and contributing to resources for those who are affected on a grassroots level,” Shiran said on PSBC’s campaign page.

“All proceeds raised will directly benefit Parkinson Society British Columbia.”

He has repurposed Canadian hip-hop classics from the mid-2000s with the help of DJ Kemo of ‘The Rascals’, and is partnering with the PSBC for this music series to raise awareness and money.

“As I embark on my personal musical journey, I want to acknowledge and respect my musical inspirations and those that paved the way for Canadian musicians like myself,” he said.

Shiran tells CityNews two years into medical school at UBC he started exploring music as a producer.

“It helped me with burnout and depression and anxiety when you’re in a busy medical program and you’re studying 60 hours a week,” he said.

Now, he wants to help those with Parkinson’s Disease — an idea that came to him while he was learning about the disease at school. He says as he investigated it, he realized music would be helpful.

“It turned out – music and dance therapy are the most effective therapies that help someone with Parkinson’s to start moving without the tremors,” he said.

Shiran says next month he is attending the University of Toronto – for family medicine – and says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the help of his mother.

“I want to give a shoutout to my mom- single mothers are the strongest people I know and I know this at first hand and I respect them to the fullest,” he said.

Along with his music career, the medical student says he will always pursue his passion for music, while also helping others.

Shiran invites anyone who likes his music to donate to the PSBC. Links to donate to the cause can be found on the society’s website.

-With files from Angela Bower.