Mother-daughter team Marion and Jess are back to complete another trek for Parkinson’s. Together, they walked El Camino in 2018 with Shake It Up and had planned to go on the 2020 Tuscany adventure which was cancelled due to COVID-19. For the Camino Trek, the pair raised of $10,000 for Parkinson’s research – a mighty achievement! This year, they are taking on the Bay of Fires trek with a team of like-minded individuals all with a common goal – to speed up a cure for Parkinson’s.
We asked Marion to introduce herself and tell us a bit more about the upcoming trek with her daughter.
Hi, my name’s Marion and I was diagnosed 4 years ago with Parkinson’s Disease.
It’s one of those old people diseases, but when you’re not “old” and you start to meet other “not old” people, it really motivates you to get out and do something to help find a cure. When I saw the Bay of Fire trip in my email, I knew that I just had to be a part of this walk.
My daughter Jess and I were going to walk last year through Tuscany, but unfortunately that was cancelled due to Covid.
We did our first walk in 2018 in Spain, ‘The Camino’, from Sarria to Santiago. There’s nothing so exhilarating like stepping out of your comfort zone and seeing the world in a different way with other like-minded people. And then to know that you’re raising funds for a great cause—to help find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease—is the best feeling ever.
What motivated you to sign up for the Bay of Fires trek?
Pretty much anything that is a holiday!
What are you looking forward to most about the Bay of Fires trek?
Besides meeting passionate people and raising funds for PD, the chance to do something great and see a different part of Australia.
What is your vision for the future of Parkinson’s?
I think the answer to that is the same with everyone: to one day find a cure, and I’m sure that they will!
What do you think others can do to make a difference?
Join in and hold fundraising events, morning teas etc, or just donate a couple of dollars—it all helps.
Want to join a walk for Parkinson’s?
Our next challenge is Tuscany 2023 where you will journey into the historical heart of Italy as you trek to fund cutting-edge Australian research to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s disease. Sound like the adventure for you? Find out more today.
