A Team of Thousands Come Together to Fight Parkinson’s

On Sunday 27 March, two AFL teams will be fighting to win their Round 2 matches in Melbourne. But before these games start, another team will gather at Fed Square to demonstrate their fight against a progressive disease affecting a growing number of people.

Parkinson’s is a neurological condition for which there is no cure. There are only medications, treatments and therapies available to help manage the symptoms.

Fight is a word that captures so much of what people living with Parkinson’s do every day. They strive, they struggle, they achieve, they overcome. The fight is for recognition and validation, for independence and dignity.

On Sunday 27 March, Fight Parkinson’s flagship community fundraiser, A Walk in the Park, will be held at Federation Square and will bring together as many people as possible in a show of strength for the 57,000 people living in Victoria fighting Parkinson’s.

Fight Parkinson’s (formally Parkinson’s Victoria) is committed to improving and empowering the lives of people with Parkinson’s, advocating on their behalf, and advancing research for new treatments and a cure.

Joining this year is A Walk in the Park ambassador Kate Jesaulenko with her footy-loving team, helping to raise awareness and demonstrate their support of the Parkinson’s community and Kate’s dad, football legend Alex Jesaulenko, who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“Dad has a fighting spirit! This has been evident throughout my childhood and his career as a player and coach. His ability to rally and inspire his team is legendary,” Kate said.

Now Kate is inspiring a new team – Team Jesaulenko – building support and awareness for Parkinson’s, while raising vital funds for research and services.

“My dad is my everything. He is genuine, kind, soft and an amazing human being. I have always tagged along with my dad, so now I’m here to support him.

“It’s important for me to support Fight Parkinson’s too as the Jesaulenko family has already received support from them. I simply want to do what I can to build awareness of the condition and to fundraise.” says Kate.

Fight Parkinson’s CEO Emma Collin said the Parkinson’s journey is best supported by a team.

“From the outset, family and friends can provide essential support to those with a Parkinson’s diagnosis. As Parkinson’s progresses the team needs to grow to include an expert team of health professionals. At Fight Parkinson’s we help you build the team, so no-one has to fight alone.”

Ms Collin said A Walk in the Park brings people together as part of a community who understand the Parkinson’s fight.

“Like so many living with complex chronic health conditions, people with Parkinson’s have been impacted by pressures on the health, aged and disability care systems due to COVID-19,” she said.

“Now’s the time for community to come together to strengthen its resolve and seek better outcomes for people with Parkinson’s and the Atypical Parkinson’s.”

Atypical Parkinson’s are rare conditions that initially present like Parkinson’s, but which have different causes, symptoms and rates of progression. They include Progressive Supra-Nuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and Cortico Basal Syndrome (CBS).

Ms Collin said Fight Parkinson’s had been providing support and services for people with Parkinson’s for more than 40 years.

“A Walk in the Park is an important event to so many people. It’s a chance to celebrate life with family and friends as part of the Fight Parkinson’s team. It demonstrates we’re a community ready to fight for improved health outcomes now and into the future.”