When Zenia’s father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, her family’s world turned upside down. They watched as his once-strong body struggled to move, and his vibrant personality faded away. But Zenia refused to give up hope. She researched the disease, attended support groups, and helped raise awareness about Parkinson’s.

Today, on World Parkinson’s Day, we honor those like Zenia’s father who are affected by this disease, and we renew our commitment to finding a cure. Join us in spreading awareness and support for Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s movements. It causes unintended tremors, shaking, stiffness, and causes problems with balance and coordination. The condition has no cure, though treatment can help control uncontrollable movements. It’s a disease that worsens over time, and with it comes difficulty in walking and talking.

The onset of this disease is due to the loss of brain cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This part of the brain helps produce a chemical called “dopamine” that helps different parts of the brain and nervous system communicate with each other. Without enough dopamine, the body can have trouble moving normally.

According to a report by Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson’s is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. More than 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s Disease. In India, there are around 7 million PD patients in India. World Parkinson’s Day aims to raise awareness about this disease and highlight the plight of the people living with it. It’s definitely not easy to live with a disease that has the ability to disrupt your life at any moment.

The World Health Organization along with the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA) established on 11th April 1997. This date was chosen to honor Dr. James Parkinson, the first physician to recognize Parkinson’s as a medical condition. This year’s theme is #Take6ForPD.

The theme has been chosen in light of a new study that indicates that a person receives a Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis every six minutes. The goal is to generate awareness among the people living with Parkinson’s disease by encouraging the PD community to #Take6 (minutes) to take action. April has also been declared as Parkinson’s Awareness Month.

Although Parkinson’s disease was officially recorded in 1817, its mentions can be found in earlier descriptions. Dutch and French physicians had described Parkinson-like disease throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. One can find the mention of the disease in Indian and Chinese texts, dating to 1000 BC.

India, being a Medical Hub, has top hospitals that offer the most reliable and pocket-friendly Parkinson’s treatment. Recently, India launched two new treatments for Parkinson’s – Apomorphine PEN & PUMP. Healthcare chains in India such as Apollo have been treating Parkinson’s disease via surgery since the 1960s.

Many organizations, on World Parkinson’s Day, come together to break the stigma around this disease by speaking up and raising awareness. They aim to provide a safe space for PD patients to open up about their experience with the disease, and share their spark.