University of Sydney researchers join 1st Unity walk for Parkinson’s disease

Senior lectures, Dr Colleen Canning and Dr Cathie Sherrington are used to leading a team of researchers, but on Sunday 31 August they lead their team on a fundraising walk instead. The team took part in Australia’s inaugural Unity Walk for Parkinson’s Disease and was awarded the prize for the largest amount of money raised by a corporate team.

Dr Canning from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Dr Sherrington from the George Institute for International Health head up the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHRMC) funded ‘Parkinson’s disease – Falls Intervention Trial’ (PD-FIT). The study is a randomised controlled investigation into the impact of exercise in preventing falls in people with Parkinson’s disease. The trial is being carried in collaboration with Parkinson’s NSW and is funded in excess of $500,000 over three years, from 2008 to 2010.

Research team members, Natalie Allen and Sandra O’Rourke, Sub-Dean Dr Cath Dean, her son Zac, and other friends and family joined Cathie and Colleen to complete the walk at Sydney Olympic Park on the weekend. ‘Our team enjoyed a fun, healthy day with family and friends, encouraging and supporting people with Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s NSW,’ said Dr Canning.

Parkinson’s NSW funded the original pilot trial in 2007, which supported the research team’s successful application for NHMRC funding for the full scale randomised controlled trial. Dr Canning reported that, ‘the trial is progressing well, with exercise groups operating in four locations across Sydney and plans to expand into rural and regional areas next year.’

Parkinson's is a debilitating disease that affects over 100,000 Australians. The event was organised by Parkinson’s Australia to raise money to fund much needed research and support services for people with Parkinson's.