Community Champions Fighting for Parkinson's Victims' Rights
Article:
In the spirit of recognizing local heroes and celebrating Parkinson's Awareness Month, Parkinson's NSW rolled out the Parkinson's Community Heroes program, offering Support Groups a chance to shine a spotlight on their valuable community supporters.
Unlike prior years, this program aimed not just to honor Support Group participants, but to celebrate local heroes who had gone above and beyond to aid the groups.
Twelve Support Groups seized this opportunity to generate buzz in their respective communities:
- Ashfield
- Blacktown
- Chinatown Bilingual
- Coffs Harbour
- Kiama
- Lismore
- Macarthur
- Narrabri
- Nepean/Blue Mountains
- Port Macquarie
- Southern Highlands
- Tweed Heads
According to Support Group Coordinator Cassie Morgan, nominations poured in from diverse sources, such as boxing and exercise trainers, politicians, health practitioners, supportive community organizations, and dedicated fundraisers.
"It was truly heartening to witness Support Groups acknowledging their local supporters and simultaneously boosting their visibility within the community. Perhaps this recognition also acted as a magnet for attracting new participants," Morgan said.
In addition to recognizing their local supporters, these groups embarked on outreach campaigns. Their efforts included information stands, raffles, picnics, and interactions with local media.
Today, we salute the unsung heroes who make a difference in the lives of those with Parkinson's, reminding us all that it takes a village to support those who are battling this debilitating disease.
Further Reading:
[1] Parkinson's NSW Recognizes Local Heroes in 2025 (article)[2] Parkinson's Support: Honoring Local Champions (article)[3] Empowering Parkinson's Communities (interview with Cassie Morgan)[4] Engaging the Young Onset Parkinson's Community (article)
- The Parkinson's Community Heroes program, initiated by Parkinson's NSW, not only recognized local supporters of the Support Groups but also spotlighted individuals in science and health-and-wellness sectors who have made remarkable contributions in supporting Parkinson's patients, particularly those with neurological disorders.
- While this program aimed to uplift Support Group participants and local heroes, it also unveiled opportunities for these groups to engage with the science community, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas to better understand, manage, and ultimately find solutions for medical-conditions such as Parkinson's.
