The Bay of Plenty division of The Parkinsonism Society of New Zealand is encouraging locals to join them for their events aimed to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease in the lives of more than 13,000 Kiwis.

Parkinson's Awareness Week will be marked in the Western Bay of Plenty with the BOP division's regular monthly Red Tulip Support meeting at 1.30pm on November 8 at the Greerton Senior Citizens Hall.

'Here, one of our members will be talking about his personal experiences in the Parkinson's walk and you are most welcome to come along and hear more about the disease,” says Parkinson's BOP president Neil Griffith.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition caused by insufficient quantities of dopamine – a chemical in the brain.

A large number of people with Parkinson's are aged 65-plus however the average age of diagnosis is 59, and many Kiwis are diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's in their thirties and forties.

The main motor symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor (shaking), tiffness and rigidity, slowness of movement, and other symptoms can include changes in mood and anxiety, poor balance and altered speech. 'Connecting people through our Parkinson's Community Educator Service is one of our core activities,” says Neil.

'Our educators connect people with Parkinson's, their families and carers with the best information and support. 'And our one-of-a-kind service ensures people with Parkinson's have the tools they need to manage their condition and maintain their independence.

'With our help people can change their lives.”

This year movie-goers will see how Parkinson's can be involved in the connection between people's brains and bodies.

Val Morgan Cinemas is featuring an award-winning advert developed by FCB Advertising for Parkinson's NZ. The advert will air in 360 cinemas nationwide this Parkinson's Awareness Week from November 1-7.

'And during this week there will be displays around the BOP at sites like Tauranga Hospital, Papamoa Plaza, Western Bay of Plenty District Council in Katikati and other places,” says Neil.

The Red Tulip Support meeting is 1.30pm on November 8 at Greerton Senior Citizens Hall, Maitland St, Greerton. For more information, call 07 218 0620or see: parkinsons.org.nz