Cure Parkinson’s NZ

Website: www.cureparkinsonsnz.org.nz

Tel: 021 0214 0403

Cure Parkinson’s NZ is driving a mission to shape and fuel research leading to a cure for Parkinson’s disease, defined as therapies that can stop, slow, or even reverse the progression of this insidious disease. Working strategically and collaboratively together with global partners sharing the same mission, including Cure Parkinson’s (UK), Shake it Up Australia Foundation, and The Michael J Fox Foundation, as well as with world-class researchers here in Aotearoa New Zealand, this charity is bringing Kiwi creativity and innovation to the global effort to fight this disease.

Did you know that Parkinson’s disease is the world’s fastest growing neurological condition, affecting more than 12,000 Kiwis? It can affect anyone, of almost any age and any ethnicity, and has been described as an emerging pandemic with numbers predicted to double in the next 10–15 years.

There is also no cure. Existing treatments can address some of the symptoms, but these are only effective for a few years. As the disease progresses, complications and unwanted side effects arise, with considerable loss of quality of life, and a potential future robbed. But new research is bringing us ever closer to a world without Parkinson’s as we know it–where those with the condition can be identified in the very earliest stage and treated before the disease wreaks its awful damage.

Cure Parkinson’s NZ CEO, Daniel McGowan, firmly believes it is a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ this can become reality, but highlights the significant lack of government funding for research, despite the considerable economic impact, and the reliance on philanthropy to drive this work forward, saying:

“We urgently need to support research to develop new treatments and get them into the hands of patients here in New Zealand. With no research there can be no cure. Through connecting those people with an interest in joining us on this mission with the aspirational outcome of a cure for Parkinson’s, we aim to accelerate this research and make our vision a reality.”

Your kind donation or bequest can help bring about a world without Parkinson’s disease, benefiting not only those with this awful disease, but also all those who might one day go on to receive a diagnosis.