Parkinson’s Europe and Parkinson’s UK launch #UniteForParkinsons campaign

Parkinson’s organisations around the world are set to unite on World Parkinson’s Day – and they need your help

Two of Europe’s leading Parkinson’s organisations – Parkinson’s Europe and Parkinson’s UK – have joined forces to launch a global campaign to raise international awareness of the disease, 200 years after it was first established as a health condition. Yet, still there is no cure.

The #UniteForParkinsons campaign will mark this significant milestone on World Parkinson’s Day, 11 April 2017 – the birth date of Dr James Parkinson (1755–1824) who first identified the condition in his landmark paper ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy’. Already supported by many Parkinson’s organisations and campaigners around the world, the campaign aims to raise an unprecedented amount of awareness on this momentous day by using the hashtag #UniteForParkinsons on social media.

As the campaign’s official media partner, Parkinson’s Life will play a key role in spreading the word, sharing your stories and telling the world that 200 years without a cure is too long. Let’s give Parkinson’s the attention it deserves.

Steve Ford, chief executive at Parkinson’s UK, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for all people affected by Parkinson’s to stand together and make the world take notice of the issues they face every day. We know that by working collaboratively we can make the biggest case for change.

“We are delighted to be leading this initiative with Parkinson’s Europe and will be doing our part on the day to help raise unparalleled awareness for the condition, the affect that it has on peoples’ lives and the urgent need for better treatments.”

Knut-Johan Onarheim, president of Parkinson’s Europe, told Parkinson’s Life: “We want to create a global buzz on 11 April 2017 and really unite the international Parkinson’s community for the first time.

“We want all people with a connection to Parkinson’s to show their support on the same day by using our simple #UniteForParkinsons hashtag. Whatever your connection with Parkinson’s, wherever you are, let’s unite for Parkinson’s. If we successfully make an online hashtag go viral in 2017, who knows what we can achieve together in future years.”

April 11: how to get involved on the day

Use the campaign hashtag #UniteForParkinsons on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any social channel and add the #UniteForParkinsons logo or Twibbon (a temporary logo overlay added to your existing profile picture) to your social profiles or your website, blog, emails. You can download the logos for free in the media pack.

Share messages about why you’re uniting for Parkinson’s. Encourage your friends and followers to get involved too with tweets and posts using the hashtag.

By using the campaign hashtag, logo and messages, you will be raising awareness wherever you are in the world.

To find out more about how you can support the campaign – both online and offline – and access a number of campaign resources, visit the dedicated campaign website www.worldparkinsonsday.com. Resources are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Welsh.

Join us and #UniteForParkinsons for World Parkinson’s Day on 11 April! Find everything you need to get involved at https://t.co/oJWjtqabWD pic.twitter.com/dVC1WuyAMg

— Parkinson's UK (@ParkinsonsUK) February 16, 2017

We're thrilled 2 announce the launch of #UniteForParkinsons, raising global awareness of #Parkinsons. Let’s Do This! https://t.co/r3e2jKKzmG pic.twitter.com/re0usCbQJM

— Parkinson’s Europe (@euparkinsons) February 7, 2017

Remember to use the hashtag #UniteForParkinsons on all social media platforms on 11 April. Visit the campaign website here