Parkinson's Brain Donor Appeal supporters

A number of well known supporters are getting behind the Parkinson's Brain Donor Appeal, launched during Parkinson's Awareness Week 2009 (20-26 April).

If you would like to support the appeal and sign up to the Parkinson's Brain Donor Register, request a Brain Donor Register information pack

Jane Asher

Jane, whose brother-in-law has Parkinson's, is pledging to donate her brain to the Parkinson's Brain Bank

Jane is a successful actor, author and businesswoman and is also President of the Parkinson's Disease Society.

"I've visited the Parkinson's Brain Bank and seen what fantastic work is going on there. Now we need a greater awareness of the benefits of brain donation so that more people come forward to register with us.

"So far 1,000 people have registered to donate their brains and with better public knowledge I'm sure we can double that number this year.

"Scientific research on brains both with and without Parkinson's is essential. It's vital that we secure more potential donors as this will help us move closer to a cure for what can be a debilitating and distressing condition."

Watch Jane Asher talking about the Parkinson's Brain Donor Appeal on BBC News

Watch Jane's visit to the Parkinson's Brain Bank

Bill Neely

Bill is giving his support to the Parkinson's Brain Donor Appeal. Bill is International Editor for ITV News and is a regular supporter of the Parkinson's Disease Society.

"The effects of Parkinson's can be very distressing, not just for the person living with the condition, but for their family and friends too.

"I'm supporting the Brain Donor Appeal to encourage people to think about brain donation, talk about it and sign up.

"The more brain tissue that researchers have access to, the closer they will get to finding a cure." 

Amy Guy

Amy has signed up to the Parkinson's Brain Donor Register. Amy is a successful model, equestrian, architect and is also known as 'Siren' from Sky1's TV series Gladiators.

"I've seen first-hand the impact Parkinson's can have on every single aspect of a person's life – my mother has been living with the condition for 10 years. This is why I have pledged to donate my brain to research and am supporting the Brain Donor Appeal.

"I want to ask people to donate their brain to help researchers move closer to a cure. Signing up to donate is such a simple way to touch the lives of others."

Read the Western Mail article Former Miss Wales Amy Guy will donate her brain to help find a cure for Parkinson's disease

John Stapleton

John, whose mother had Parkinson's, has signed the Parkinson's Brain Donor Register. John is a well known presenter on GMTV.

"I fully appreciate the importance of brain donation to help researchers to find a cure. Sadly, my mother lived with Parkinson's for many years and went through the daily struggle of coping with a multitude of disabling symptoms.

"Progress has been made in Parkinson's research, but they desperately need more brain tissue donors to continue this incredibly important work."

Read the Daily Mail article John Stapleton: My mother's desperate battle with Parkinson's has convinced me to leave my brain to science