Mr. Heilman presented a cheque for $600 on behalf of Cowra Parkinson’s Support Group to President of Parkinson’s NSW, Mr. David Veness.

Parkinson’s NSW presented researchers with funding of $300,000 during the conference.

Professor Simon Lewis presented a paper which outlined the progress with research that has been made on a blood test to indicate whether you are likely to become a PD sufferer.

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This work has been positive so far and researchers are confident of a successful outcome.

Significant progress has been achieved on a combination of drugs currently used to control Diabetes to slow down the onset of PD.

This will, while not stopping the onset of PD, is seen to significantly slow down its rate of development which is a definite advantage to those with “young onset”, i.e people who are working age, normally under 60 years. 

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While not a cure, it is a major research breakthrough particularly as these drugs have already been approved for use in humans so should not have to go through the very lengthy new drug approval process.

The government makes almost no funding available for Parkinson’s Disease, even though this disease is the third most prevalent neurological disease, so Cowra Parkinson’s Support contribution will be used to further this work to a successful outcome.