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Neven ‘Nose’ Best: Top Chef Launches Parkinson’s Awareness Campaign
Campaign highlights lesser known ‘invisible’ symptoms of Parkinson’s
Aimee Case (Lundbeck), Pat O'Rourke (Chairman, Parkinson's Association of Ireland), Neven Maguire, Joe Lynch (CEO, Parkinson's Association of Ireland)
Celebrity chef Neven Maguire is lending his distinguished nose to an educational campaign which seeks to highlight the lesser known non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The Understanding Parkinson’s Disease – It Makes Sense campaign aims to raise awareness of the non-motor symptoms associated with the disease which include the loss of smell and taste, constipation, and sleep disturbances. These non-motor or often ‘invisible’ symptoms require long-term management in the community, usually with the assistance of a GP or nurse, and are known to impact on the quality of life for the Parkinson’s patient.
There are currently over 8,000 people with Parkinson’s disease in Ireland and it is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the world, after Alzheimer’s disease. Commenting on his involvement in the campaign, Neven said: “It is the small things that matter and I know I would find it not only frustrating, but impossible to do my job if my sense of taste or smell began to deteriorate. The sensory experience with food- the colours, the tastes, and smells combine to create enjoyment with food”.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign Joe Lynch, CEO of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland said “Parkinson’s disease is well known for the symptom of the classic tremor but there are many other non-motor symptoms that take close management and have a huge impact on the quality of life for the Parkinson’s patient.” Joe also said, “Management of these symptoms is long term and happens in the community which is why the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland (PAI) has branches throughout the country to provide support and resources for those with Parkinson’s disease and their carers.”
Parkinson’s Association of Ireland Support Nurse Alison Cashell handles queries from patients around the country points out that non-motor symptoms would feature quite frequently, “Parkinson’s patients have to carefully manage their medication, diet, exercise, and sleeping habits. Even the smallest change to their routine can have a knock on effect on their day-to-day living. Management of non-motor symptoms are the key to the living well with Parkinson’s disease post-diagnosis.”
“Lundbeck Ireland are delighted to be supporting this awareness campaign particularly as non-motor symptoms can sometimes be the precursors of the disease. These symptoms are often the ones that we often cannot see but can have a profound impact on patient quality of life” according to Eithne Boyan of Lundbeck Ireland Ltd. To speak directly to a dedicated Parkinson’s Nurse please call 1 800 359 359 or visit www.parkinsons.ie for further information about the disease and non-motor symptoms.
Parkinson’s Awareness Week Launch
April 19th, 2011
The Parkinson’s Association of Ireland today, launched its first Parkinson’s Awareness Week from the 26th of April – 30th of April. Throughout the country there will be awareness and fundraising activities being hosted by Branches of the Association.
Speaking at the launch today, Mrs. Una Anderson Ryan, Vice Chairperson of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland said that “We have a particular focus on the provision of healthcare supports, advocacy, information and advice to people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers in Ireland. This awareness week will help the organisation to become stronger, more effective and efficient in ensuring that the quality of life issues for people with Parkinson’s and their families will be highlighted in the media”.
Also speaking at the launch the association’s CEO, Joe Lynch said, “Our soon to be published annual report shows the heavy reliance of people with Parkinson’s and their carers on our services and in particular our helpline. Every county in Ireland has used this national service, with over one third of all calls coming from the Dublin area. Over half of the calls received were from family members or friends and over ten percent were from health professionals seeking more information on Parkinson’s disease.”
Olympic gold medalist, Michael Carruth, whose father Austin had Parkinson’s, was at the launch of the awareness week. Speaking at the launch today said that“Parkinson’s is a very debilitating disease and the effect it had on my dad was very hard. I’m delighted to launch this awareness week with Shay Healy on behalf of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland who provide fantastic services for free.”
Free phone the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, national helpline on 1800 359 359 or visit www.parkinsons.ie for further information on Parkinson’s disease.
Ends
For further information, contact Joe Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, Tel: 01 8722234, Mobile: 087 8154467.
Notes to the Editor:
Parkinson’s disease is named after James Parkinson who lived between 1755 and
1824. In 1817 he published a small book entitled ‘Essay on the Shaking Palsy’ in which he described his own observations on six patients who had involuntary shaking of the arms, legs and body. James Parkinson recognised that the features of all these six patients were very similar and differed from other medical causes of shaking that had been known up to that time. He called the new disease paralysis agitans (shaking palsy) but a French neurologist, Charcot, later suggested that the disease be named Parkinson’s disease in honour of the man who first recognised it and this term has remained ever since.
Parkinson’s Association of Ireland (PAI) was established in 1987. PAI provides services and supports to people affected by Parkinson’s disease in Ireland. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition which directly impacts upon about 8,000 people who have Parkinson’s in the Republic of Ireland. Parkinson’s is primarily caused by the degeneration of nerve cells (or “neurons”) in a part of the brain that controls movement, called the substantia nigra. Normally, these nerve cells produce dopamine- a chemical messenger or “neurotransmitter”- which is used by the brain to control movement. In Parkinson’s, the production of dopamine is reduced and the muscle tension and movement are affected. The main physical symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremor, muscle rigidity and slowness of movement.
PAI currently has 13 member branches in the following locations, Dublin (serving the East), Galway (serving the West), Limerick/Clare (serving the Mid West), Waterford serving the South East), Kildare (serving the Midlands), North Kerry, South Kerry, Tipperary, Cavan/Monaghan (serving the North East), Donegal (serving the North West), Mayo and PALS Support Group (serving younger members countrywide) and Cork.
PAI is a member of the European Parkinson’s Disease Association and has participated actively, hosting the EuroYapmeet (YOPD) in 2005. It is also a member of the World Parkinson’s Disease Association and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.
Parkinson's Association of Ireland is a company limited by guarantee having no share capital.Registered company number 123532. CHY number 10816.
For further details including the 13 branches nationwide visit www.parkinsons.ie.
Photo Caption (Photo Sent by Jimmy Weldon, photographer)
Ms. Una Anderson Ryan, Vice Chairperson, Parkinson’s Association of Ireland, Shay Healy, Michael Carruth and Mr. Joe Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, Parkinson’s Association of Ireland pictured today at the launch of the Parkinson’s Association of Ireland awareness week.
A number of people who are Parkinson’s Patients are also available for selected media interviews.
A copy of the association’s annual report for 2010 will be available from the 30th of April, Excerpts quoted are available online and in soft copies from the association, Quarterly Magazine, Spring 2010 is available in hard and soft copy format as well copies of the leaflets and other promotional materials.
