The Shake It Up Australia Foundation is proud to announce that its founder, Clyde Campbell AM, has been awarded the prestigious Peter Wills Medal by Research Australia.
This distinguished award is a recognition of Clyde’s outstanding contribution to advancing Parkinson’s research in Australia and his unwavering commitment to finding better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for Parkinson’s disease.
Legacy of Impact: Pioneering Change in Parkinson’s Research
The Peter Wills Medal is presented annually to an individual who has made an exceptional, long-term impact in building Australia’s international reputation in health and medical research and fostering collaborative initiatives for improved health outcomes.
Since founding Shake It Up in 2011, Clyde and the founding directors have personally funded all administration costs of the Foundation, which ensures that 100% of every donation goes directly into funding Parkinson’s research studies.
Clyde’s unique vision and pursuit of a global partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) has transformed the way Parkinson’s research can be funded in Australia, allowing both groups to maximise the impact of donations raised by the Australian Parkinson’s community to accelerate better treatments on the path to a cure.
To date, Shake It Up has funded 79 Parkinson’s research projects across 23 institutes to the value of more than $30M. Through the Foundation’s support of game-changing Parkinson’s research in Australia, Clyde has helped to contribute to major international discoveries that will move global understanding of Parkinson’s disease forward
The Peter Will Medal: A Testament to Clyde’s Vision and Commitment
In response to this award from Research Australia, Clyde Campbell says, “I am extremely honoured to receive the Peter Wills Medal from Research Australia.
“While I am humbled on a personal level, this award reflects all the efforts of everyone at Shake It Up, our donors, our research partners, and the broader Parkinson’s community, who have a shared vision to advance the research that will help us slow, stop, and ultimately cure Parkinson’s.
“Parkinson’s doesn’t wait, and neither can we; this is a mission that drives me every day.”
Vicki Miller, CEO of Shake It Up, expressed her pride in Clyde’s recognition, saying, “this award is a testament to Clyde’s courage and his commitment to creating a future that is free from Parkinson’s.
“Clyde has not only been a pioneer in funding critical Parkinson’s research in Australia but also inspires a community of incredible supporters and people who have been touched by Parkinson’s.
“This is a wonderful recognition of Clyde’s remarkable contribution and the far-reaching impact that Shake It Up has.”
About the Shake It Up Australia Foundation
Shake It Up Australia Foundation was established in partnership with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) and has since become the leading non-government funder of Parkinson’s research in Australia. The Foundation works with institutes nationwide funding projects focused on slowing disease progression and exploring groundbreaking treatments to improve the lives of the more than 200,000 Australians currently living with the condition.
About Research Australia and the Peter Wills Medal
Research Australia is the national peak body for health and medical research, dedicated to representing the entire medical research pipeline. The Peter Wills Medal recognises outstanding individuals who have strengthened Australia’s international health research reputation and fostered collaboration across the sector.
