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Parkinson's Awareness Week

 

Each year, the Parkinson's Disease Society holds an Awareness Week to raise the profile of the Society, give a focus for fundraising efforts across the UK and increase people's understanding of Parkinson's disease.

 

Parkinson's Awareness Week 2009 will take place from Monday 20 April to Sunday 26 April. We will use this week to launch the Parkinson's Disease Society's 40th anniversary.

 

 

Highlights from Parkinson's Awareness Week 2008

 

 

Survey report released: 'Life with Parkinson's today – room for improvement'

 

Life with Parkinson's today reportTo mark the launch of Parkinson's Awareness Week 2008, the Parkinson's Disease Society released the key findings from the largest ever survey in the UK of people with Parkinson's and carers of people with the condition.

 

The survey, completed by more than 13,000 people with Parkinson's and carers, provides a significant insight into all aspects of life with the condition. It includes information about the experiences of diagnosis, access to healthcare services, information needs and the social impact of Parkinson's.

 

To find out more about the results of the survey, and to download the PDS report, 'Life with Parkinson's today – room for improvement' visit our members' survey page

 

 

Media activity

 

Jane Smith Parkinson's Awareness Week articleMany people with Parkinson's and carers shared their story of life with Parkinson's, helping the Parkinson's Disease Society to secure a significant amount of media coverage. Articles were published in You magazine, the Daily Record, The Scotsman, The Telegraph, Belfast Newsletter, ITV Meridian, The Daily Post and South Wales Argus.

 

Jane Smith, a woman with Parkinson's from Sheffield appeared on the BBC Breakfast sofa, as well as on Sky Radio News, BBC Sheffield, BBC Southern Counties and in the Sunday Express.

 

Parkinson's Disease Society President, Jane Asher, worked with us on championing the need for better services. Jane appeared on The Today programme, BBC Breakfast, Channel 4 lunchtime news and on a large number of regional radio stations. She also wrote a piece for the Saturday Express, mentioning Parkinson's Awareness Week.

 

 

Activities across the UK

 

During Parkinson's Awareness Week 2008, many of our branches, support groups and supporters worked tirelessly to fundraise and to promote the work of the Parkinson's Disease Society locally.

 

Activities included fundraising events, information days, supermarket collections and Parties for Parkinson's.

 

 

National events

 

Flora London MarathonThe London Marathon, which is the largest single fundraising event for the Parkinson's Disease Society each year, took place on the final day of Parkinson's Awareness Week. On Sunday 13 April 2008, 155 runners took to the streets of London to take part in the Flora London Marathon, covering over 26 miles in their bid to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Parkinson's Disease Society.