Spreading the word about Parkinson's research

Advances in Parkinson's research is always a topic that people are interested in - whether they are affected by the condition, are one of our other supporters or even members of the public.

During Parkinson's Awareness Week this week, we've been using the opportunity to talk about research to get new people involved with us.

On Wednesday, eminent neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE gave a lecture to around 130 people in Cambridge on the latest research approaches to beating the condition.

And last night ITV broadcaster John Stapleton hosted our Parkinson's Awareness Week lecture, "From Care to Cure - living with Parkinson's", at the London offices of Aberdeen Asset Management, who generously sponsored the event.

Among the guests were many of our biggest funders from the worlds of Charitable Trusts, Foundations and Corporates alongside individual supporters too.

Dr Huw Morris from the University of Cardiff presented on developments in genetics for people with Parkinson's. Simon Challis, a younger person with Parkinson's shared his personal experiences of the condition and our Chief Executive Steve Ford outlined our plans to meet and exceed our funding target of £110million over the next 5 years.

Keep spreading the word about research - and let us know any ideas you have.

Fundraising for Parkinson's Awareness Week

We're halfway through Parkinson’s Awareness Week and hundreds of people have joined us to help find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's.

We have been fundraising at major railway stations up and down the country from the public this week, and so far we’ve raised over £4,000 from just four collections. One volunteer reported a single donation of £120 and we’ve even had a few celebrity sightings such as Lauren from BBC's Over the Rainbow!

Local media coverage is showing the range of fundraising going on in towns around the UK too. Paul Betney is performing a comedy show with all proceeds to help Parkinson’s in the North West, Somerset Branch has raised money with the local church in Yatton, Terry Clay is running the London Marathon this weekend to raise vital funds, and a school in Liverpool’s Year 9 class has even chosen us as the charity they want to support all year.

Last weekend's scheduled skydive was cancelled because of the volcanic activity in Iceland, but it didn't stop our celebrity supporter, Amy Guy from raising awareness about the event too.

Let us know how your fundraising efforts are going, or find out how our donated funds are used and support us during Parkinson's Awareness Week.

Gearing up for Parkinson's Awareness Week

Parkinson’s Awareness Week starts on Monday 19 April and we’re spreading the word about the condition and about Parkinson’s UK in every community.

Local groups and our local teams around the UK have been planning for months to put on activities like nature walks, information stands in hospitals and other drop-in events. Volunteers have been collecting bric-a-brac and baking cakes to sell at market stalls all around the UK. They've arranged supermarket collections, organised guest speakers to talk about Parkinson’s research, sold tickets for concerts and there’s even an Antiques Roadshow-style auction!

Apart from the work we all do together to raise awareness of Parkinson’s in the national media, Parkinson’s Awareness Week is a chance for us to get out into the community and be seen by the general public.

But it doesn’t hurt to get a bit of local media coverage as well:

• Len Humphries is throwing himself out of a plane
• North Birmingham Branch are unveiling our new name and brand at a drop-in session
• Huddersfield Branch is having a support day for all
• Campaigners in Trafford celebrate after winning the fight for a new Parkinson's nurse
  

Look and see what’s on in your area And if you're holding an event next week tell us about it here. We'd love to hear how it goes.

Parkinson's and swallowing

Last Saturday the research team went to a scientific meeting held by the Parkinson’s Disease Non-Motor Group at The Royal Society of Medicine in London.

We spent the day with scientists and clinicians from the UK and Europe, who presented recent results on Parkinson’s to health professionals and researchers. One topic we found interesting was problems with swallowing, which can mean people’s medication isn’t absorbed properly.

Almost everyone with Parkinson’s will have trouble swallowing food or liquid at some point. Advice given to doctors on the day suggested that liquid levodopa may be more effective than pills or capsules.

What we don’t yet know is why swallowing becomes difficult with Parkinson’s, but we’re currently funding a study to find out. Swallowing can happen about 1,000 times a day so it’s vital we understand it.

If you have Parkinson’s, have you found swallowing difficult? Is it a symptom you expected? How do you find that it affects your every day life?

Let us know by leaving a comment, and if you’re in the Manchester area you might actually be able to be involved in the study. Email research@parkinsons.org.uk if you’re interested in taking part.

What can a pound do?

It's been great to have received some really enthusiastic feedback from supporters who received our £1 appeal in the mail last week.

The appeal carries the message, "£1 from you today could help us find a cure for Parkinson's" and asks supporters to insert a pound coin in a cardboard carrier in support of funding research.


The appeal is targeted at people who, for a variety of reasons, we've lost touch with over the last couple of years but who we want to tell about our vital work in support of everyone affected by Parkinson's in the UK.

Early feedback suggests that people like the simplicity of the appeal and the tactile call to action. They also like us getting in touch again.

One person even said "Parkinsons UK's 'Put £1 here' mailer is genius, really tactile. Couldn't wait to stick my coin in the slot!"

Staying in touch with all our supporters is vital if we are to succeed in our work. And finding new supporters is just as important.

If you or anyone you know would like to support our work, have a look at how you can get involved

You can also donate now to help us find a cure for Parkinson's.