Hi all,
There are only a few days to go now until Parkinson’s Awareness Week 2012 – it starts on Monday with the theme ‘Find a cure’. As you may have seen on our website and social media channels, and through our magazines, there’ll be a lot happening during the week and we need your support. Here’s a quick summary of just some of the things happening during the week.

Major new research study

We'll be launching a major new Parkinson's research study on Monday, the first day of Parkinson's Awareness Week. Find out more about this on Monday.

Share your story

We’ll be launching a new online feature for you to share your messages about what a cure for Parkinson’s would mean to you – people with Parkinson’s, carers and family members, health and social professionals, researchers and our staff and supporters can all take part to help us raise awareness of just how urgent it is to find a cure.

Events across the UK

We’ve been updating our online map of Parkinson’s Awareness Week regularly for the last couple of months. There are now nearly 200 events on our map, with new events still being added daily. Take a look at what’s happening in your area or add your own event.

Media coverage

We're working hard to achieve as much media coverage as we can during the week, to raise awareness of the urgent need to find a cure. We’re off to an early start with national media coverage leading up to the week, including items in The Independent, Prima magazine, Mature Times and the Daily Record in Scotland.

Find out more

For details of all and this and more, visit the Parkinson’s Awareness Week area of the website at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/findacure

Throughout next week, we’ll be adding regular updates, news and opportunities to get involved – so keep an eye on the website and our social media channels.

Ways to get involved online

A few ways you can help spread the word now:

‘Like’ us on Facebook – share our messages and post your own http://www.facebook.com/parkinsonsuk

Follow us on Twitter – retweet, post your own tweets and use the hashtag #parkinsonscure http://www.twitter.com/parkinsonsuk

Add our ‘Find a cure’ stamp to your Twitter or Facebook profile images http://twb.ly/HcDuwA

Ezinda

Hi,

I did my first tin collection today in my local Supermarket and raised the grand sum of £183.00......I've also contacted two local newspapers and they have agreed to cover my story for Parkies awareness in next weeks edition. Just have to wait and see how it turns out!

Best wishes to all fellow fundraisers

Diane

well done drobbi got me parkinsons awarness collections etc day end of the month ,i sort it out every year for last 4 years now,it all helps

Hi all,
Parkinson's Awareness Week in launched today with an exciting research announcement! You can find out more here: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/tracking

Be sure to check the website throughout the week for further updates and activities near you: http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/findacure

Cheers,
Ezinda

What would a cure mean to you?

We're inviting a range of people affected by Parkinson's to share their stories to help raise awareness of the need to find a cure.

Visit the website, read stories from others and share your own at http://findacure.parkinsons.org.uk/

Ezinda

Hi Drobb and ali j,
Thanks to you both for your fundraising. Drobb, I hope your first experience is one you'd like to repeat :-)

I was a cheerleader for the 61 runners for Parkinson's UK at the Brighton marathon this past weekend. It was such good fun, I will certainly be back next year. See the pics here: http://bit.ly/IrqvUw

Drobb, please do let us know if your story gets published. You may also want to contact our media team at pr(at)parkinsons.org.uk to find out if they can offer any support.

Ezinda

Hi Ezinda,

Definately enjoyed the collection and will do again. My local area newspaper did run an article and the media team have been made aware.

Great pics of the Marathon runners but none of the cheerleaders!!!! I'll pop along next year with my camera and hunt you down!! (i live along the coast near to Brighton).

Best wishes

Diane

Ezinda - P.S just forwarded form to be considered for new research programme that you listed above

Diane

IVE ONLY JUST CHECKED ON THIS PARKINSONS UK WEBSITE OF WHICH I READ MONTHLY I GUESS AND APPARENTLY ITS PARKINSONS DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK FROM APRIL 16 - 22.............. WELL IVE SEEN OR HEARD NOTHING AT ALL ON RADIO, TV, INTERNET ETC...... SO MUCH FOR MAKING MORE PEOPLE AWARE OF MY ILLNESS, CURSE & NIGHTMARE PARKINSONS DISEASE.......THINK MYSELF AND FELLOW PARKINSONIANS ARE FIGHTING A VERY STEEP UPHILL BATTLE, SUCH IS LIFE !! *SIGHS*

Hugh aka welshbearuk

Hugh,
I'm sorry you have not heard or seen any of the coverage but I can assure you it has been there. The chosen theme of Parkinson's Awareness Week this year is 'find a cure' The papers are full of coverage about the "tracking parkinson's" study which needs PWP who were dx under 50 or in last 3 years.

My friends and work colleagues all know that I have Parkinson's and they keep sending me newspaper cuttings and asking about it.

EF