Debbie supports Parkinson’s UK campaign to revolutionise research

Debbie has pledged her support to the charity Parkinson’s UK’s ‘We Won’t Wait’ campaign

Reporter: Stuart Littleford

During Parkinson’s Awareness Week which ran from 10 to 16 April – Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, pledged her support to the charity Parkinson’s UK’s ‘We Won’t Wait’ campaign which is calling for urgent action to unlock the promise of research developments that could pave the way to better treatments and stop Parkinson’s drugs ‘falling behind’.

Debbie said: “While great strides have been made over the past 200 years, people with Parkinson’s are still waiting for a treatment that can tackle the condition head on.

“Because of this, I am supporting Parkinson’s UK’s ‘We Won’t Wait’ campaign because we need a complete step change to deliver better treatments and a cure faster.”

Research released by the charity revealed that despite being an incurable, degenerative condition which can affect anyone, in the North West:

• More than half (54%) of people are unsure, or wrongly say that it is possible to prevent Parkinson’s.
• Four in five (84%) are unsure, or incorrectly think that there is no limit to the amount of time Parkinson’s medication works for.
• Three in five (58%) wrongly believe that Parkinson’s medication does more than mask or ease the symptoms of the condition.

Referring to the Parkinson’s UK research, Debbie added: “Unfortunately this mis-information is often reflected in the knowledge of assessors for social security support for disabled people.”

Parkinson’s UK wants to drive forward crucial developments in Parkinson’s research to pioneer more effective treatments that are desperately needed for the estimated 14,000 living with the condition in the North West.

Commenting on Debbie’s pledge, Steve Ford, Chief Executive at Parkinson’s UK said: “We are delighted that Debbie is supporting our crucial campaign to transform research so that people with Parkinson’s have access to new and better treatments that will improve their lives and, ultimately, a cure for this cruel condition.”

To find out more about the We Won’t Wait campaign visit parkinsons.org.uk

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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