RESEARCH NEWS 💡 Researchers at @sydney_uni , funded by Shake It Up Australia, have made a groundbreaking discovery that could pave the way for new treatments to slow or stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
The team, led by Professor Kay Double, have identified a fault in a protein called SOD1, which normally protects brain cells but becomes dysfunctional in Parkinson’s disease.
“Our research identifies faulty SOD1 as a critical target for Parkinson’s therapies,” said Professor Double. “By restoring the normal function of this protein, we may be able to slow, or even halt, the progression of the disease... these findings open an exciting new avenue for treatment development.”
Read our Q&A at the link in our bio and learn more about what this could mean for people living with Parkinson's disease ⬆️
#WorldParkinsonsDay #WorldParkinsonsDay2026 #WPD #WPD2026 #SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
@brainandmindcentre
Parkinson's is the second most common neurological disease in Australia after dementia. There are more than 200,000 Australians living with the disease, and another 38 Australians will hear the words, "You have Parkinson's" for the first time today.
At Shake It Up, we are committed to our urgent mission to fund innovative research that aims to slow, stop and cure Parkinson's disease. Research is the key to unlocking breakthroughs that will improve symptoms, prevent progression of the disease, and ultimately, lead us to a better future - a world without Parkinson's.
Visit shakeitup.org.au to find out how you can get involved today 🧡
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia
It's time to mark your calendar 📅 April is Parkinson's Awareness Month! This is a meaningful time for our community to come together and help us in our urgent mission to slow, stop and cure Parkinson's disease.
In 2026, we're asking for your support to donate or fundraise to support cutting-edge Australian researchers, who are on the precipice of major discoveries. We need your help to propel progress towards a cure.
There are so many ways to get involved in April and it's totally unique to you! Throw a Pizza party at work or school, set a Push-Ups challenge, host a Pickleball event, get Pacing with a steps goal, or gather your friends and family for a Picnic. You can get started by signing up today and our team will help you with everything you need to make your fundraising idea a success!
Visit the link in our bio to get involved today!
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #PAM2026ShakeItUp
"Shake It Up’s mission to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s disease means everything to me. My one wish is to find a cure so there is no more suffering. If we all try to raise money, we are all one step closer to finding a cure, which is the ultimate goal."
Fundraising in support of research is a powerful way to honour a loved one who lived with Parkinson’s, and to make a meaningful difference in the quest for a cure. For Jacqui, it was also a chance to do something that would help other families like hers, while celebrating the memory of her beloved Mum, and the legacy she left her children and grandchildren.
Jacqui describes her Mum, Christina, as always loving, kind, sweet, thoughtful and creative. In 2012, Christina was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, before developing Lewy Body Dementia, and sadly, passed away at 78 years of age in 2023.
In memory of Christina, and inspired by her love of family, Jacqui is hosting a ‘Party for Parkinson’s’, gathering friends, family and the Parkinson’s community to raise funds for research. We spoke with Jacqui to learn more about her event and what inspired her to create change for the future.
Read Jacqui's story at the link in our bio ⬆️
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons
The team at wehi_research are looking for consumer advocates: members of the community who have experienced Parkinson's disease - or have cared for someone with Parkinson's disease - and have a passion to help medical researchers.
The input of consumer advocates enables the brightest minds in medical research to make discoveries and translate them into new medicines and biomarkers to stop Parkinson’s disease. You do not need a research or science background. Your role is to share lived experience and your perspective. What matters most is your voice.
Contact WEHI or visit the link at our bio to find out more ⬆️
"To slow, stop, or cure Parkinson’s would mean everything — not just for me, but for my daughters, my family and thousands of Australians. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and while many of us live full and active lives, the uncertainty of what lies ahead is always present."
During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we have been inviting our community to choose their own ‘P’ themed challenge or event to raise funds for research. Shake It Up supporter Catherine took a creative approach and hosted a Paint and Pour for Parkinson’s event, where she invited friends and family to join her in raising funds for a cure.
"Like many people with YOPD, my symptoms were subtle at first, and the diagnosis came as a shock. Since then, I’ve learned how misunderstood Parkinson’s can be — especially for younger people — and how vital research is in improving early diagnosis, slowing progression, and ultimately finding a cure."
We heard more from Catherine about this wonderful event, and what inspired her to make a difference and increase understanding about Parkinson’s.
Read Catherine's story by visiting the link at our bio 🧡
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
Parkinson's Awareness Month ends TONIGHT. There's still time to support cutting edge Australian research during April, and make a life-changing impact for people living with Parkinson's disease.
Every action - big or small - this month, makes a significant difference.
Science is propelling us closer to a cure than ever; and you can help us get there.
Donate today to support #PAM2026 and drive discoveries that will change the future. Visit shakeitup.org.au/donate or visit the link in our bio 🧡
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
On Wednesday 1st April, Shake It Up hosted an exciting #PancakesForParkinsons event in the Sydney CBD, made possible by the team at @goodprandevents , the creative support of @_walterwakefield and the incredibly generous support of @whitewingsbaking and @nutella_anz 🥞
Joining us for a delicious pancake cook off to whip up their own delectable pancake recipe, flip the conversation & raise community awareness were:
@acruzvaamonde@woodfiredstove@chefgannon@sian_redgrave@tom.smallwood@genghiskhanh@arrnottolssen
We were also honoured to be joined by two of our longest ambassadors, @peterbyrneentertainer and @phoebes_garland , who have supported the Foundation from its earliest days, and lived experience advocates Emma Tinkler and Linda Bateman.
We met and spoke to people from all walks of life about their experiences with Parkinson’s, while starting important conversations with people who wanted to learn more. With over 1,000 pancakes handed out to 500 Sydneysiders and 50+ fundraisers now hosting events and challenges for Shake It Up this #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth, we are so grateful to everyone for taking their time to support our urgent mission in their own way 🧡
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
"To slow, stop and cure Parkinson's disease would mean hope, not just for me, but for so many others. It would mean a future where people don’t have to face the progression, the uncertainty, and the daily challenges. More time with my family, more time creating, and more time living fully in my body."
Shake It Up supporter Dernice told us about her Pendants for Parkinson's fundraiser, where she is creating unique jewellery, handcrafted from polymer clay, to raise funds for research.
Dernice's aim is to show others that they're not alone in their Parkinson's journey. Although Parkinson's has changd the way she experiences life, she told us that she wants to keep showing up as a mother and creative, even when facing the challenges.
Read our Q&A with Dernice at the link in our bio 🧡
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
#ICYMI: Our episode of the Shake It Up Show with Jason van Leuven explores Jason's diagnosis with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease while completing his PhD specialising in neuroscience and pharmacology.
He spoke with @amylouiseruffle about:
* The complex journey to diagnosis and difficulty identifying early symptoms
* His challenges to find the right combination of medication & treatment options
* The importance of finding support networks and things that add to quality of life
You can listen to the episode at the link in our bio or search 'the shake it up show' wherever you listen to your podcasts 🎧️
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
“Parkinson’s Plus syndromes” are a group of rare, progressive neurological conditions that share some movement symptoms with Parkinson’s disease—such as tremor, stiffness, and slowness—but have additional features and typically progress more rapidly. These conditions include Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, and Multiple System Atrophy.
We spoke with Associate Professor Kishore Kumar, from the @anzacresearchinstitute , @sydneylocalhealthdistrict and @sydney_uni , about the AusPD Plus study. This research project aims to recruit 500 new participants with Parkinson’s Plus syndromes, to create a large genetic dataset in Australia that will provide in-depth and diverse insights.
"People with Parkinson’s Plus often experience early balance problems, falls, speech or swallowing difficulties, and thinking or memory changes. They also tend to respond less well to standard Parkinson’s medications. These disorders are challenging to diagnose and manage, which is why dedicated research programs like AusPD Plus are so important", Associate Professor Kishore Kumar said.
Read our Q&A to learn more about this crucial research at the link in our bio ⬆️
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026 #SlowStopCureParkinsons #ParkinsonsResearch
Since 2019, @medirecordsapp has played an important role in supporting Shake It Up to fund vital research and offer hope and support to the Parkinson’s community. Over the last 8 years, not only has MediRecords contributed over $30,000 to research, but the team has dedicated their time to increasing awareness about Parkinson’s disease both inside and outside the company, from Pancakes to Pizza Picnics.
For Senior Business Development Manager Tim Pegler, Parkinson’s Awareness Month took on extra significance when his father received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Tim shared with us about the unexpected diagnosis, and the profound impact it has had on his father’s quality of life.
"Dad is now dealing with muscle rigidity and tremor, along with aspects of Parkinson’s that aren’t as well known. The real heartbreak has been loss of language, both written and spoken. Dad won’t be able to complete the memoir he was writing and now deals with the daily devastation of not being able to fully communicate his thoughts. It’s extremely tough to watch and a reminder of the importance of research into this disease.”
Read more about Tim's story at the link in our bio 🧡
#SlowStopCureParkinsons #ShakeItUpAustralia #ShakeItUpHero #ParticipateForParkinsons #ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth #PAM2026ShakeItUp
#ParkinsonsAwarenessMonth2026
