April 11 – World Parkinson’s Disease Day
Why is World Parkinson’s Day important?
World Parkinson’s Disease Day is an opportunity:
- Unite those affected by Parkinson’s disease around the world – to highlight the impact of Parkinson’s disease on individuals, families, and communities
- Celebrate the tremendous work that people living with Parkinson’s disease and those working in the field do to treat and raise awareness about this disease
- Celebrate the resilience and strength of people who live with this condition every day
- World Parkinson’s Disease Day calls for:
- World leaders should take the necessary actions to ensure that people with Parkinson’s disease receive the quality of life they deserve
- National leaders and policymakers should recognize the impact of Parkinson’s disease on individuals, their families, and caregivers, and develop appropriate strategies and policies to mitigate them
- Healthcare professionals should be aware of the latest research and treatment methods to improve care and services for people with this condition
World Parkinson’s Day – A Brief History
First World Parkinson’s Disease Day ( World Parkinsin Day) was held in April 1997. It was established by the European Parkinson’s Disease Association and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO). This date is dedicated to the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson.
Doctor James Parkinson (1755 – 1824)
Born on April 11, 1755. James Parkinson is best known for his essay “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy” in 1817, in which Parkinson’s disease was first recognized as a medical condition.
The launched European Parkinson’s Charter has garnered worldwide attention and received support from many influential figures, including British royalty Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret and Princess Diana, UK Prime Ministers John Major and Tony Blair, and Pope John Paul II, Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and American boxing legend Muhammad Ali
As a result of World Parkinson’s Day in 1997, the WHO formed a Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease, which led to the development of the first Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease, adopted in Mumbai (India) in December 2003, aimed at encouraging a change in attitudes towards Parkinson’s disease.
During the 9th conference WPD (Luxembourg, 2005), the red tulip was adopted as the official symbol of the disease.
What is “Spark ” («The Spark»)?
In 2022, efforts were combined to develop and launch a new logo for World Parkinson’s Day, named ‘Spark’.
Design Spark inspired by dopamine – the neurotransmitter that people with Parkinson’s disease strive to preserve. A group of organizations aims to engage the community living with Parkinson’s disease this year around a more coordinated annual event dedicated to World Parkinson’s Day, ultimately bringing organizations and individuals together under one recognized banner, leading to greater awareness, impact, and ultimately positive change