World Parkinson Congress 2010

2nd World Parkinson Congress We were a leading partner in the second ever World Parkinson Congress, held for the first time in the UK, 28 September-1 October 2010 in Glasgow.

The congress was for everybody around the world touched by Parkinson's - people living with the condition, carers, researchers and healthcare professionals.

This major event showcased the latest developments in Parkinson's research. It was a fantastic opportunity to share resources and develop partnerships to identify the best treatments and ultimately to find a cure for Parkinson's.

Highlights of the congress

The global Parkinson's pledge was launched. Thousands of people have already signed up, including a number of celebrity supporters in the UK.

Image right: Scotland rugby legend Gavin Hastings signing the global Parkinson's pledge
We launched our ambitious 5-year research strategy which will push our search for a cure for Parkinson's to a new level.
Exciting new research was announced which gained international press coverage.

The congress was a great opportunity for people with Parkinson's and carers to network with others from around the world. There were over 3,000 delegates from 66 different countries.

What people thought

"[We] felt so comforted by the whole community and the work being done to find a cure. It was incredibly inspiring."

Parkinson's UK member

Here are some comments from our Facebook page:

"It was great and I have learned so much. Thanks to all involved and it was great meeting up with so many friends."

"My dad and I both went and felt so comforted by the whole community and the amount of work being done to find a cure. It was incredibly inspiring."

Paul Jackson Clark, our Director of Fundraising, adds: "It was a really inspiring week and as an organisation we received lots of positive feedback from people across the world."

Video competition winners from Parkinson's UK

Two of our members, Tony Cox and Colleen Henderson-Heywood, were awarded prizes in the World Parkinson Congress video competition.

Tony Cox - joint first prize

Tony's winning entry, Spring Tide, is a video-poem about the effect of his Parkinson’s drugs wearing off, leaving him barely able to move on a flooded footpath at Strand-on-the-Green in Chiswick, London.

Tony’s video was joined in first place by a video from ex-dancer Pamela Quinn, from the US. Pamela's video is a poem and movement piece called Welcome to our World.

Colleen Henderson-Heywood - top honorary mention

Colleen received a top honorary mention for her video, An Adventure Begins.

You can watch all the video entries and winners online - links are on the World Parkinson Congress website.