Parkinson's UK milestones
We've come a long way since 1969, when Mali Jenkins founded the Parkinson's Disease
Society - now Parkinson's UK.
1969
Levodopa was the first major breakthrough in
the drug treatment of Parkinson's.
Today, a range of drug treatments are
available to control the symptoms of Parkinson's.
1970
Our first local Parkinson's group opened in Tunbridge Wells and
Halifax.
We now have more than 350 local
groups across the UK offering friendship and support to
everyone affected by Parkinson's.
1971
Our first publication was introduced: 'Parkinson's
disease - a booklet for patients, friends and families'.
Today we provide information and support in many ways.
This includes our free confidential
helpline 0808 800 0303, specialist staff, publications, website and network of local groups across the UK.
Our Parkinson's UK Brain Bank opened in 1984.
We now have the UK's largest human brain bank dedicated to Parkinson's.
1984
Our Parkinson's UK Brain Bank opened,
enabling crucial research into Parkinson's.
We now have the UK's largest human brain bank dedicated to
Parkinson's.
We provide brain tissue to researchers around the world to
develop better treatments and make progress towards a cure.
1986
Research identifies oxidative stress as a key player in
Parkinson's.
1988
Our first overseas sponsored trek
took place, raising more money for our work.
Since then, our range of fundraising activities has grown
massively, giving people lots of ways to get
involved and fundraise.
1989
The
first specialist Parkinson's nurse was appointed, providing
specialised local care for people with Parkinson's.
At the end of 2010, there were 310 Parkinson's nurses across the UK.
Image right: Lisa, Parkinson's nurse, with Sheena, who has
Parkinson's
1990
Princess Diana became patron.
1992
Our first team ran in the London
Marathon.
1994
UK patients participate in one of the first transplant trials
for Parkinson's.
1996
The Duchess of Gloucester became patron.
1997
We were chosen as one of GMTV's 'get up and give
charities'.
1998
We
published our first education tool for professionals: 'Parkinson's
Aware in Primary Care'.
Today, our education and training officers deliver seminars and courses for health and social care
professionals who work with people with Parkinson's in all
parts of the UK.
Image right: Lorraine, Parkinson's nurse
1999
We launched our free and confidential
helpline 0808 800 0303, with specialist nurses and
advisers.
2002
Research proves that Parkinson's
nurses significantly improve quality of life for people
affected by Parkinson's.
2004
2 genes associated with inherited Parkinson's were discovered,
giving us a better understanding of the causes of Parkinson's.
2006
Jane Asher became our
president.
We launched our Get It On Time
campaign to make sure people with Parkinson's admitted into
hospitals and care homes get their medication on time, every
time.
Image right: Get It On Time washbag
2007
Prescription charges for people with
Parkinson's were abolished in Wales.
Our research spend increased to more than £4million. In 1969 our
research spend was £205.
2008
We launched our online discussion forum
for people affected by Parkinson's.
We introduced information and support
workers across the UK so everyone affected by Parkinson's has
access to the services they need.
2009
2009 was our 40th Anniversary, when we looked back on our achievements made since 1969.
2009 was our 40th Anniversary, when we looked back on our
research achievements made since
1969.
We launched our Parkinson's Brain Donor Appeal asking people to
pledge to donate their brains for research. We now have over 2,300
new brain donors from across the UK.
Our Fair Care for Parkinson's
campaign put pressure on governments to improve access to the
health and social care for everyone affected by Parkinson's.
We set up our Campaigns Network,
allowing people with Parkinson's, their carers and families to get
directly involved in our campaign work.
2010
We
changed our name to Parkinson's UK.
And we launched a new 5-year strategy
(2010-2014) focusing on finding a cure and improving life for
everyone affected by Parkinson's.
2011
We were nominated and won the 'Charity
of the Year with income of more than £1million' category at the
prestigious Charity Times Awards.
This was a testament to all the incredible work that our
staff and volunteers do every day across the UK.
2012
We launched Tracking Parkinson's,
the world's largest ever in-depth study of people with Parkinson's.
We need thousands of people with Parkinson's across the UK to get
involved.
At the end of the year, our first ever
public awareness campaign saw Parkinson's UK adverts appearing
on billboards, on trains and in newspapers across the UK.
2013
What will 2013 bring? Keep up-to-date with all our latest news.
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