Michael’s Pickleball for Parkinson’s Fundraising Event for a Cure

Friday, 20th February 2026

During Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April, Shake It Up supporters join forces to make a difference, supporting research with all kinds of amazing and creative fundraising ideas. In 2026, we called on our community to come up with their own ‘P’ for Parkinson’s fundraiser, whether they were hosting a Pizza Party or Picnic event, setting a Push Ups challenge or getting active with a Pacing for Parkinson’s steps goal.

Michael Tomasoni has created Pickleball for Parkinson’s, and he will be hosting a tournament this coming April to raise important awareness in the community about PD, drive funds straight to research, and reduce the stigma sadly still surrounding Parkinson’s. The event, planned to be held in Melbourne during April, will be open to anyone to participate, with entry fees contributing donations to Shake It Up.

Michael, tell us all about your love of pickleball! How did you first get into it?

I have been playing Pickleball since 2022, after it was recommended to me by my Physiotherapist. I have played sports all my life, I enjoy the competitive nature of sport and pickleball allows me to continue to do so which is something I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, due to having Parkinson’s. The benefits of playing pickleball include improved balance, increased movement, flexibility and increased social interaction.

What inspired you to raise funds for Parkinson’s research with this Pickleball tournament?

When I was diagnosed with Parkinsons, I found it difficult to research what to expect from the condition. Most information I found portrayed a negative outlook. It appeared to me then that Parkinson’s took a back seat to other conditions. Although these are also worthwhile causes, they did seem to get more attention than Parkinson’s, which seemed to be left out of the spotlight. When you mention Parkinson’s, most people are aware of Michael J Fox, Muhamad Ali, the shakes and think it only affects older people.

I felt that there was an opportunity to raise awareness of Parkinsons through Pickleball. Raising money for research is an added bonus, all while increasing understanding and awareness and removing the stigma of Parkinson’s, which is extremely important.

Our mission is to slow, stop and cure Parkinson’s disease. What would this mean for you?

The ultimate goal is to find a cure and eradicate Parkinson’s. To me this would give back to those with the condition a part of their life that they have lost. They say you never know what you had until you lose it; people with Parkinson’s can relate to this. To slow and stop Parkinson’s, to me means the return of one’s quality of life.

Do you have any advice for others wanting to make a difference this April for Parkinson’s Awareness Month?

My advice is, if there is something you want to do, give it a go, what’s the worst that can happen?

Ask questions. When I first contemplated the idea of a Pickleball for Parkinsons event, I didn’t always hear what I wanted to hear, but I thought there must always be a way this can be achieved.

Don’t let rejection or negativity stop you, it’s just a hurdle you need to get over. Elvis Presley was told to go back to driving a truck when he first started singing!

And things may not always go the way you plan, so be it, but you must move on. We all have two options, to try or not to try.

You can make a donation or start your own fundraiser to support Shake It Up this April. Every dollar counts in the quest for a cure, and 100% of donations raised will go directly to cutting-edge researchers here in Australia. Click here to get involved today.