This week’s Shake It Up Hero is Marie who has been running, cooking, hosting and advocating for Shake It Up to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research.
What Drives Your Commitment to find a cure for Parkinson’s?
My dad Damon was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease when he was 33 years old – the same age I am now. He has lived an incredibly rich and full life but he’s had Parkinson’s for 26 years now which is long enough and I’d love to see a cure so he can see out his retirement ‘Parkie’ free.
Why Shake It Up Australia?
I love the strategic approach Shake It Up and the MJFF take in assessing the research to ensure funds are distributed effectively to maximise efficiency in their quest for a cure. Knowing that 100% of all donations go straight to that research is amazing. It really does mean that every little bit counts!
Tell us what you are doing to Shake Things Up?
This year I organised several fundraising activities. I completed the 5km course of the Swan River Run in July. I asked friends and family to sponsor me and I updated my everyday hero page with my training progress. I managed to beat my previous time by 9 minutes and raised about $800 in the process. Dad and I both love cooking so I hosted a morning tea at work and baked all of Dad’s favourite desserts which raised over $300. He was able to join me in the morning and meet all of my lovely colleagues which was fabulous. I hosted a Tupperware party and the demonstrator and I made a donation for each spatula sold raising a total of $120. I have also nominated Shake It Up to be the beneficiary of the Casual for a Cause program at work where staff make a gold coin donation for dressing down on Friday’s. Part of this program allows me to email the staff each week and I have enjoyed sharing pictures of our family and facts about Parkinson’s disease with them.
Greatest Reward?
Knowing that when a cure is found I will have played a tiny part in making it happen.
Best advice for people looking to Shake It Up?
Find a way to raise funds and awareness by doing something you love. For me, that’s running and food but it could be sewing, painting, blogging, jewellery making, gardening, woodworking – anything!
Are you interested in becoming a Shake It Up Hero through your own fundraising initiative? Find out how you can get involved and help us shake things up for a cure!
