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The Cure Parkinson’s Trust (CPT) is the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s is a progressive and all-consuming neurological disorder characterised by tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement and balance problems. Other symptoms include mood changes, loss of sense of smell, pain and sleep disruption.

Parkinson's can affect everything in life that most people take for granted. It affects people physically, mentally, behaviourally, and emotionally. There is an urgent need to find new and more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.

Current treatments can only temporarily improve some of the symptoms, but to date, nothing has been found to stop the relentless and inevitable progression of the condition.

Set up in 2005 by four people living with the condition, CPT fund clinical trials of potential new treatments to slow, stop and reverse the disease, as well as pre-clinical research work to identify these new treatments.

The Cure Parkinson’s Trust firmly believe the only way to achieve their goal is by collaborating with scientists, clinicians and the industry and importantly, people living with Parkinson’s and their families, whose experiences define and shape the nature of the research CPT fund and support.  

Currently, more than 127,000 people are living with Parkinson’s in the UK and 10 million worldwide. The number of people of Parkinson’s is forecast to double by the year 2030 and about 1 in 20 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are under the age of 40.

CPT urgently needs funds to accelerate its important research and continue the progress towards a cure.

Married with two young children and based in Greater Manchester, David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s over five years ago when he was just 29 years-old. 

‘I have been through many of the emotions that any person given a life-changing diagnosis could possibly experience.’ says David.

‘Five years in, controlling the symptoms of the disease has become less predictable day-to-day and this irregularity in symptom control has had a big impact on my family life, as a husband and father, and on my job.’

Determined to support others facing a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, David founded and manages a network group which helps connect people of a similar age living with the disease.  

‘Knowing The Cure Parkinson’s Trust are funding ground-breaking research focused on a cure, has had a really positive impact on me and my sense of hope for the future.’ 

Rachel Gibson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s aged 38 and has been living with the disease for nine years.

Rachel first noticed a stiffness and slowness in her movement. Keen on fitness, she became aware when running that her ‘leg would misbehave’.

‘I had no idea that it could be Parkinson’s,’ Rachel remembers, ‘but the neurologist knew as soon as he saw me.’

‘As a nurse, my medical background meant I understood what the inevitable progression of the disease meant for my future.’

‘Now at my age, what I really want more than anything else is a cure for Parkinson’s. My children are still quite young and they want a Mum who is Parkinson’s free. This is why I support the important work of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust – their whole focus is funding research to find a cure.’