“He is my hero”: Tania on honouring her dad and backing Parkinson’s research

Monday, 25th August 2025

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For Tania West, giving back isn’t just an act of generosity — it’s an act of love. A way to honour her dad. A way to fuel hope. And a way to make sure that other families don’t have to walk the same heartbreaking path hers did. 

Originally from Adelaide and raised in Canberra, Tania describes herself as someone whose world revolves around family. She’s married to Wil and is mum to two daughters, who she says “are our world.” After a long and successful career in IT, she recently took a career break to focus on the things that “fill her cup” — travel, the outdoors, property design, volunteering, and making space for what matters most. 

That same mindset — to give back and stay grounded in purpose — is what drew her to Shake It Up Australia Foundation. But it wasn’t just an interest in the cause. It was personal. 

“My family and I have donated and been part of Shake It Up events since my beautiful Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Plus. We came across the Foundation whilst researching information on Parkinson’s and seeing how we could help Dad and others with the horrible disease.” 

Her father’s decline was slow, confusing, and emotionally devastating. For years, he faced seizures, headaches, balance issues, and speech changes. Countless hospital visits and reviews brought no clear answers — until finally, in 2019, he was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and aggressive form of Parkinson’s Plus. 

“Dad was a highly respected teacher, meticulous and highly efficient. He could do anything — fix, build, create — but most of all, he was an incredible husband, Dad and Pa. A kind, gentle man with a heart of gold. He is my hero.” 

The family was told his condition would decline quickly over the next five years. Tragically, due to the subtype of Parkinson’s he had, treatments were ineffective. 

“My beautiful Mum was able to take care of him at home, but as the disease progressed it became harder for her to manage. We had to make a heartbreaking decision to have him move to residential care in July 2020. In fact, the hospital deemed him not able to return home given his decline. This was terribly hard.” 

The final 18 months of his life were filled with complex care and profound emotional pain. “He could no longer walk. He required full support. This was so hard to watch — my Dad needed help with toileting, eating, and communicating. It was devastating.” 

Her father passed away at just 70 years old. 

“It has been just over three years and our family is still very much in deep grief. We have pulled together as a family and we move forward each day, honouring him by living our best possible lives.” 

That desire to honour him — and do more — is what drives Tania’s unwavering support for Shake It Up. 

“I am personally going to be part of future fundraising and medical research donations, raising awareness, etc. I want people to do more for Parkinson’s research. As the second-biggest degenerative disease behind dementia, it needs more profile — more people are suffering.” 

Tania and her family started donating early on, but their involvement grew over time. A local charity event in Canberra helped deepen the connection. Then came Pause 4 Parkinson’s — a challenge that saw the whole West family commit to moving every day throughout April in support of research. 

“I was one of the highest fundraisers for the Shake It Up campaign Pause 4 Parkinson’s — we actually did a feature in the newsletter.” 

That feature captured their incredible effort, which raised $3,910 from family and friends. But their giving didn’t stop there. 

“Every year as part of our Secret Santa we include a donation to a charity of choice — I have regularly donated to Shake It Up. We also had a donation page set up at my Dad’s celebration of life. I recently made a personal donation of $1500.” 

So what is it about Shake It Up that inspires her ongoing support? 

“Direct donations to research. Great awareness platform. Active and leading edge.” 

She says the Foundation’s transparency and commitment to real change matter deeply to her. So does the community of families who, like hers, have been forever changed by Parkinson’s. 

“We have our own story, but I have read quite a few stories of loved ones that have moved me — and also inspired me to tell my Dad’s story.” 

For Tania, research is key — not just to delay symptoms, but to change outcomes entirely. 

“If we can save a life, a family’s pain of loss and grief, then it’s all worth it. We wish Dad’s outcome was different and that he could have lived on under medical management. Medical research and awareness is the key to find better treatments, prevention and a CURE.” 

That’s not just a hope — it’s a call to action. 

“I would also like to see more research into rare Parkinson’s subtypes (MSA). We need more research into these areas and better treatment options. I feel like these rare types have been forgotten in some way.” 

Her message to anyone considering supporting Shake It Up? 

“Great charity. All proceeds go to medical research. Leading the way with research for Parkinson’s.” 

And when asked how she plans to stay involved in the future, her answer is simple and certain: “We will participate in events and also do individual donations.” 

Her mission is clear. And her message is powerful: 

“It has been a tough journey, seeing someone you love deteriorate — and the ending is traumatic. Let’s get behind medical research. Raise awareness. One life saved or improved means it’s all worth it.”

Making a donation to Shake It Up is a lasting and meaningful way to advance treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s. Not only will your gift help the 200,000 Australian’s living with Parkinson’s, it will also help us create a future free from Parkinson’s. Join our mission today.