Make a meaningful contribution to unlock a cure.

Prof. Maurice Curtis. Centre For Brain Research, The University of Auckland

As the screen flickers, the faces of individuals young and old look back at you. There’s Sharon, a wife and mother who competes in triathlons, Tony, a managing director, Ioane, a former rugby league player, Sue, a proud grandmother and Bernie, a successful company founder.

These individual’s stories may never have intertwined but for the commonality they share. They have all been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

As the documentary progresses, we learn about Ioane’s story. We meet his Mum, Esefiga. We step into his living room. We learn that he was diagnosed at just 35, after feeling ‘funny’ recovering from surgery.

We see Sharon interacting with her grandkids and proudly crossing the finish line at the Barfoot Thompson Triathlon series. We hear of the disbelieving reactions when she shared her diagnosis with friends.

And we see Bernie Crosby ONZM; at home with his wife, Kaye, almost 20 years after his diagnosis in 2005.

Cure Parkinson's NZ's Documentary, "One in 37'. To watch, click here.

An insidious disease

Although Parkinson’s disease is commonly associated with movement and motion inhibition, it has a wide range of symptoms, including affected gut function and smell.

It also doesn’t discriminate, and anyone can be diagnosed with it. “Parkinson’s Disease is a really complex disorder,” says Cure Parkinson’s NZ CEO, Daniel McGowan. “We know the number one risk factor for Parkinson’s disease is ageing but there are other risk factors, such as pollution, exposure to pesticides and things like head trauma.”

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, what your religion is - you’re all susceptible to something like this,” says Sue.

It can also be fast moving. “Out of the blue, someone can, in a short space of time, can go from being quite healthy, quite ok [and] everything’s going well to having severe symptoms of Parkinson’s disease,” says Professor Maurice Curtis of the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research (CBR).

Recent studies show that over 13,000 Kiwis are currently living with Parkinson’s disease, while others predict that 1 in 37 people alive today will one day be diagnosed with it during their lifetime.

With current projections, this number is also set to climb. “Parkinson’s disease is not only is the second most common neurological condition, but the fastest growing,” says Daniel.

The important role of research

Some 14 years before appearing in Cure Parkinsons’ documentary, ‘One in 37’, Bernie and Kaye Crosby had attended a fundraising dinner for the University of Auckland’s School of Medicine. Bernie found himself sitting next to Dr Curtis and got talking.

With his owned lived experience of Parkinson’s disease, Bernie was fascinated by the cutting-edge work that the Centre were doing and decided to raise money to support. He and Kaye went on to establish the Neuro Research Charitable Trust with the goal of raising $1,000,000 over 5 years.

The goal of the Trust was to fund, fuel and shape key research to stop, slow and reverse disease progression.

Sir Richard Faull. Trustee, Cure Parkinson’s NZ. Founder, Centre For Brain Research

Mobilising Kiwis in the fight against Parkinson’s disease

Noting the substantial amount of funding required to fuel this transformative research, the Neuro Research Charitable Trust rebranded to Cure Parkinson’s NZ in 2022 to expedite their fundraising and increase awareness and education.

“It is our mission to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease - simple as that,” says Daniel. “Although this is a big dream, we believe we can do it through crucial research, advocacy, community awareness and education, and lobbying for legislative change.”

“Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there is good reason for hope owing to the progress being made in research,” says Daniel. “However, research comes at a cost, which is why our fundraising is so pivotal.”

Amplifying Kiwi generosity

With much work ahead, Cure Parkinson’s NZ wanted to take strategic steps to maximise their fundraising, amplify the impact of donations and mobilise Kiwis in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

“As we rely on generosity to work towards a Parkinson’s disease free future, it is important that that our fundraising is as effective, streamlined and strategic as possible.”

In mid-2024, they decided to establish the Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund with Nikau Foundation. The fund, which is designed to deliver reliable, long-term funding, will support the organisation in many ways.

“There are so many crucial aspects that will contribute to finding a cure - from groundbreaking research to advocacy, awareness and education. The Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund will ensure that sustainable funding is available to support all aspects of Cure Parkinson’s NZ’s work,” says Daniel.

As all donations to the fund will be responsibly invested, grown and protected, every donation will continue to make an impact in the fight against Parkinson’s disease long-term.

“Donating to Nikau Foundation’s Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund is a great way to make your philanthropic dollar go further and to make a really meaningful difference,” says Daniel.

“We are so delighted to work alongside Cure Parkinson’s NZ to help them realise their vision,” says Nikau Foundation Executive Director, Emma Lewis. “Parkinson’s disease is a condition that affects so many Kiwis, and we’re delighted to play a part in unlocking a cure.”

Give a gift today, to invest in a Parkinson’s disease free future.

To make a meaningful and sustainable contribution to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease, you can donate to Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund via internet banking, donating online or leaving a gift in your will. Please click on the icons below to find out more.

Internet Banking:

Westpac – Lambton Quay - 03 0502 0163248 001

Once you have set up the payment with the reference ‘Cure’, please let the Nikau Foundation team know by emailing accounts@nikaufoundation.nz with your name, address and noting that you would like to support the Cure Parkinson’s NZ Wellington Fund.

Mobilising Wellingtonians in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

The journey of the Sia Bloggs Fund