This World Parkinson’s Day on April 11th cities and
towns in Aotearoa and worldwide will illuminate landmarks in
blue to raise awareness of the 13,000 New Zealanders and
11.8 million people worldwide who are living with
Parkinson’s.
Spark the Night, inspired by PD
Avengers in the USA, is a global campaign with the goal to
increase awareness, stand in solidarity and bring hope to
all people who are affected by Parkinson’s. This Friday,
Aotearoa will join 500+ landmarks in over 200 cities around
the world including One World Trade Center, Mole
Antonelliana, Anfield Liverpool FC Stadium and Niagara Falls
to increase awareness of the fastest growing neurological
condition in the world.
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive
of Parkinson’s New Zealand, the only national charitable
trust in Aotearoa which provides information, education and
support to people affected by Parkinson’s says with no
cure in sight Parkinson’s is rapidly becoming a growing
health challenge both here in Aotearoa and
overseas.
“We must make sure people living with
Parkinson’s have access to Parkinson’s specific care,
information and support wherever they live in Aotearoa. With
significantly more people expected to be diagnosed with
Parkinson’s in the coming years, awareness and support for
people living with this life-long condition is
vital.
“Spark the Night will
raise much needed awareness of Parkinson’s in our
communities and show solidarity for all who are affected by
this condition.”
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Parkinson’s New
Zealand is grateful to the many regions and councils across
Aotearoa which are lighting their landmarks in blue in
recognition of people affected by Parkinson’s
including:
• Wellington Michael Fowler
Centre
• Wellington Cable Car
• Tauranga
City Centrelights, Wharf Street Lights, Tunks Reserve,
Masonic Park, Beacon Wharf, Waterfront Playground and Park
North.
• Gisborne Town Clock
• New Plymouth
Clock Tower
• Palmerston North Clock Tower
•
Whanganui City Council
• Ashburton Town Clock
Tower
• Christchurch City Council
• Otago
Toitu Early Settlers Museum
• Otago Railway Station
Clock
• Dunedin’s Anglican Cathedral
•
Central Otago District Council’s Cromwell Sign
•
Oamaru Opera House
Head to www.parkinsons.org.nz to
learn more about Spark the Night and Parkinson’s New
Zealand.
About Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is
the fastest growing neurological condition in the
world.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological
condition that occurs when insufficient quantities of the
chemical dopamine are produced by the brain.
It’s
estimated that 13,000 New Zealanders have Parkinson’s with
expected growth to double in the coming years.
The
average age of diagnosis is 59, but many New Zealanders are
diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s in their thirties
and forties.
Common Parkinson’s symptoms are tremor,
stiffness and rigidity, slowness of movement, anxiety,
depression, speech and sleep issues, and
constipation.
Parkinson’s New Zealand offers home
visits, phone and video call support, support groups,
advocacy, whānau meetings, exercise classes, referrals to
health professionals, seminars, conferences, newsletters,
webinars, and social
activities.
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