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A film evening in Matakana on June 29 will shine a light on Parkinson’s disease, the world’s fastest-growing neurological condition.
The evening will feature an abridged version of One in 37, sharing the real stories of Kiwis living with Parkinson’s, alongside Driven to Find a Cure, showcasing world-class New Zealand research, before the feature film Beyond The Edge – the extraordinary story of Sir Edmund Hillary and the ascent of Everest.
As well as the screenings, guests will hear directly from Cure Parkinson’s NZ chief executive Daniel McGowan, and special guests including Professor Maurice Curtis and the director of Beyond The Edge, Matthew Metcalfe, who will share his experience bringing Sir Edmund Hillary’s story to life.
Funds raised will be invested in a preclinical research project being carried out at the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research. It is a drug discovery project aimed at developing treatments that target the progression and spread of the disease in the brain.
The aim is to raise at least $10,000 from each of the eight nationwide film screenings.
Daniel McGowan says that Parkinson’s affects at least 13,000 New Zealanders and that figure is expected to double by around 2040.
He says that contrary to popular belief, it is not just a disease of older people – some people are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s, and it is estimated that one in 37 New Zealanders will develop the condition if current trends continue.
Its rapid growth is linked to environmental factors, including exposure to toxins such as herbicides and pesticides, as well as viruses and bacteria.
McGowan says the biggest challenge in treating the disease is a shortage of specialists.
“We don’t have enough neurologists,” he says. “The problem is not access to medication, the problem is access to a neurologist who can prescribe it.”
However, he added that medication was not a cure.
“It can alleviate some symptoms, predominantly those affecting movement, but it does not stop the progression of the disease.”
The film evening will be held at Matakana Cinemas on Monday, June 29, from 6.30pm. Tickets are available at https://www.cureparkinsonsnz.org.nz/Events/matakana-movie-fundraiser/.
