Event Series:
World Parkinson’s Day
World Parkinson’s Day
April 11, 2029
World Parkinson’s Day
World Parkinson’s Day is observed on April 11. This important day is an opportunity to:
- Unite those touched by Parkinson’s around the world to highlight the impact Parkinson’s Disease has on individuals, families and communities.
- Celebrate the fantastic work that people with Parkinson’s, and those working in the field, are doing.
- To manage and raise awareness of the disease.
- Acknowledge the resilience and strength of people who live with the condition every day.
World Parkinson’s Day calls on global leaders to take actions needed to ensure people with Parkinson’s get the quality of life they deserve.
In addition, national leaders and policy makers recognize the impact Parkinson’s has on the individual. Further, it highlights the impact it has on their families and careers. on Parkinson’s Day, the focus is on Parkinson’s. This gives healthcare professionals a reminder to keep up to date with the latest research and treatment. As a result, they can improve care and services for those with the condition.
World Parkinson’s Day – A Brief Background
The first World Parkinson’s Day occurred in April 1997. The European Parkinson’s Disease Association (now known as Parkinson’s Europe) established the event. World Health Organization (WHO) co-sponsored the awareness day. The date commemorates the birthday of Dr. James Parkinson.
Dr James Parkinson (1755 – 1824)
Born 11 April 1755, James Parkinson is most famous for ‘An Essay on the Shaking Palsy.’ Written in 1817, it first recognized Parkinson’s as a medical condition.
The inaugural WPD event in 1997 marked the launch of the Parkinson’s Europe Charter. This provided the central focus and opportunity for people with Parkinson’s, their families and healthcare professionals to work together. The goal of the day is to promote awareness and increase the profile of Parkinson’s. The Charter gained the support of influential people around the world. Influential people included UK royals HRH Princess Margaret and Princess Diana, UK prime ministers John Major and Tony Blair, Pope John Paul II, Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti and US boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
As a result of World Parkinson’s Day 1997, the WHO formed the Working Group on Parkinson’s Disease in May 1997. This led to the development of the first Global Declaration on Parkinson’s Disease. Launched in Mumbai, India in December 2003, this day aimed to encourage a change in attitude towards Parkinson’s.
During the 9th World Parkinson’s Day conference held in Luxembourg in 2005, the group adopted the red tulip as the official symbol for the disease. In the United States, we recognize Parkinson’s Disease with the color silver. Wear a silver ribbon, pin or wristband to recognize Parkinson’s Disease, those who are affected by it, and World Parkinson’s Day.
There are now many World Day celebrations around the world as people come together on April 11. They raise awareness of Parkinson’s with activities. Activities include online awareness campaigns, webinars, conferences, wellbeing events, fundraisers and much more.
‘The Spark’
In 2022, a host of global Parkinson’s organizations joined forces to develop and launch a new logo for World Parkinson’s Day, dubbed ‘The Spark.’ The logo enables the Parkinson’s community to speak with one voice. And, it encouraged them to create a universal symbol of Parkinson’s. The Spark is the result of an active collaboration between international Parkinson’s organizations including Parkinson’s Europe, PD Avengers, Parkinson’s Foundation, Davis Phinney Foundation, Brian Grant Foundation and Cure Parkinson’s.
The Spark design is inspired by dopamine. Dopamine is the electro-chemical neurotransmitter that people with Parkinson’s are striving to retain. The group of organizations aim for this bolt to energize the Parkinson’s community around a more coordinated annual World Parkinson’s Day event. The objective is to eventually bring organizations and individuals together under one recognized umbrella that will lead to greater awareness, impact, and ultimately positive change.
Any organization, individual or group that wants to highlight and support the annual World Parkinson’s Day is encouraged to use The Spark on their promotional material for events, campaigns, and communications. Organizations are able to select their own color for The Spark.
