“Science is the answer” – The Prowd Family on How They are Helping to Progress Research Towards a Cure

Thursday, 22nd January 2026

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For the Prowd family, supporting research is more than a commitment – it is a heartfelt way to shape a brighter future for those living with Parkinson’s.  It’s about driving discoveries that could transform lives. And above all, it’s a tribute to their beloved father and husband Ken, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011, at just 61 years old.

While it’s impossible to capture a full and vibrant life in just a few sentences, the Prowd family describes Ken as incredibly brave, kind, and capable. He was a man who loved sport – tennis, golf and bowls were his passions. Together with his wife Robyn, Ken travelled the world completing multi-day walks that reflected his adventurous spirit.  Once he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Ken continued to stay as active as possible, having sessions with an exercise physiologist twice a week. The family believes those sessions, along with regular walks, helped to maintain his balance, strength, and mobility as long as possible.

This passion for getting active extended to his children Karen, Natalie and Matt, who became one of our top fundraisers for Parkinson’s Awareness Month in 2024 by taking on a unique challenge – a burpee for every dollar donated. The fundraising effort raised over $3,000 (or 3,000 burpees for the team to complete!)

At the time, Natalie told us, “Our inspiration for raising money for Parkinson’s research is our Dad, Ken. He has lived with the ever-increasing challenges of Parkinson’s without complaint, and we are so proud of him and in awe of his positive outlook. We figured that however hard the burpees get, Dad deals with the reality of mundane tasks becoming enormous challenges every day, so that’s carried us through every burpee.”

Before this impressive fundraising initiative, the family had already been supporters of Parkinson’s research, first giving to Shake It Up as part of a Christmas tradition.

“Every Christmas our family donates money to a charity rather than buying each other presents, and it was suggested that we donate to Shake It Up Australia one year as it’s close to home and local. After reading about the specific work that Shake It Up do, and the fact that all money raised goes directly to research, we were inspired to support this organisation specifically and, in more depth, than just a one-off Christmas donation.”

Shake It Up’s vision of a world without Parkinson’s was especially meaningful for the Prowd family.

“Shake It Up’s vision resonates because we have seen up close how cruel the disease is. The focus on accelerating innovative research is important, as we understand that this is the path to progress. And we were inspired by the generosity of the founding directors of the organisation, who cover all admin fees so that every dollar raised goes directly to research.”

Although Ken’s disease progressed slowly and his symptoms were manageable at home for many years, he eventually developed dementia and sadly passed away in February 2025, at the age of 75.

In his memory, the Prowd family have chosen to turn grief into hope by supporting research that could unlock breakthroughs that will slow progression, stop the disease in its tracks and ultimately, find a cure. Their commitment is a powerful tribute to Ken’s life and a gift to future generations.

“If we can support research into Parkinson’s, it may mean other families don’t need to watch their loved one endure the daily struggle that Parkinson’s brings. Seeing our brave, kind, capable father battle so hard was incredibly difficult. If our support can avoid this pain for even one other family, that would mean the world to us.”

The family’s generous philanthropic support has contributed to funding a new and groundbreaking research project into the effects of environmental toxins on brain cells. The study, led by Professor Lezanne Ooi at the University of Wollongong, has the potential to provide critical insights into potential preventative measures and treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. By understanding the environmental factors that contribute to the disease, we can work towards developing strategies to mitigate their impact.

“We hope that research into the potential causes and preventative treatments for Parkinson’s will one day lead to a cure, so other families won’t need to go through what we went through, and other people won’t need to suffer like our dad did. Along the way, breakthroughs like medication to manage symptoms and improve quality of life are also something we all hope for.”

In their quest to support this vital research, they also want to raise awareness in the Australian community about the impact of Parkinson’s – for those living with the disease, as well as their loved ones – and inspire others to get involved too.

“If you’re considering getting involved, just do it. As a family with many educators going back several generations, we profoundly understand the importance of science. More research leads to more evidence, and more evidence will hopefully one day lead to a cure. Science is the answer.”

We are deeply grateful to the Prowd Family for their passion and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Their dedication to honouring Ken’s remarkable life is truly inspiring.

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.