Canberrans are invited to Walk To Fight Parkinson’s on Sunday 19 May to support people living with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.
People living with Parkinson’s experience symptoms that impact their everyday life, such as stiffness, tremor, pain, memory challenges, depression, sleep problems and social isolation.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s, and services are vital to help people and their carers manage the condition.
The community day and fundraising event is being organised by The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Parkinson’s ACT which provides support for the 2000+ people living with Parkinson’s in Canberra and their families.
There will be a range of activities people can get involved in on the day, including walking, running or ‘Nordic’ walking across 1.5km or 5km bridge-to-bridge courses at Rond Terrace, Commonwealth Park. The day will also include live entertainment, food, drinks and children’s activities.
All proceeds from the event go to the important services, support and research delivered by The Hospital Research Foundation Group for people living with Parkinson’s and their families in the ACT.
Marcia Kimball, Chair of The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Parkinson’s ACT, said the Walk was a fantastic morning of camaraderie while raising awareness and funds for a good cause.
“Parkinson’s can affect anyone and there is no cure or standard treatment, however with education and the right support, people can live well and have a good quality of life,” she said.
“Exercise has been clinically proven to improve the pain and stiffness associated with Parkinson’s, plus it also helps with cognitive challenges and can slow down cognitive decline.
“That why coming together for the Walk to Fight Parkinson’s is such a great idea – anyone can do it and the mental and physical health benefits are huge.
“It is a fantastic morning of entertainment, food, drinks and exercise, plus social connectedness which is so important. The last time we ran this event in 2022 we got washed out, so we’re really keen for the community to come together and support us this year on 19 May.”
For more information and to register, visit www.walktofightparkinsons.com.au
Get in quick to take advantage of Early Bird registrations, which close Thursday 28 March.
ABOUT PARKINSON’S
One Australian is diagnosed with Parkinson’s every 40 minutes.
Parkinson’s is the second most common brain condition after Alzheimer’s, with an estimated 200,000 people living with Parkinson’s in Australia.
Approximately one in five people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are of ‘working age’; and some are even diagnosed in their 30s and 40s.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition with complex motor and non-motor symptoms including rigidity, tremor, pain and gastrointestinal issues, as well as memory, depression, thinking and sleep problems.
