As the Parkinson’s Life podcast marks World Parkinson’s Day 2025, the latest episode speaks to Lizzie Graham, co-founder of Parkinson’s Europe and former Secretary General.
Lizzie was one of the key driving forces behind the creation of Parkinson’s Europe, then called the European Parkinson’s Disease Association (EPDA), back in the early 1990s.
She was also instrumental in launching the very first World Parkinson’s Day in 1997, recalling how they gained support from the likes of Princess Diana, Muhammad Ali, and Pope John Paul II.
Lizzie remembers the poignant moment that she says has spurred her on to continue working in the field of Parkinson’s, recalling: “I realised then what a horrible condition it is.” Lizzie’s son, Parkinson’s Europe’s Operations Director, Dominic Graham, also appears on the episode, sharing how proud he is of his mum’s “selfless” work.
As well as raising awareness about Parkinson’s, the first World Parkinson’s Day saw the launch of the Parkinson’s Europe Charter, a document which sets out the rights of people with Parkinson’s.
Lizzie says those original five principles have formed the basis for all the work Parkinson’s Europe has done since.
Sharing plans for World Parkinson’s Day
We also meet Jessie Duncan, European Outreach and Engagement Manager at Parkinson’s Europe, who tells us what’s happening across Europe to mark World Parkinson’s Day.
We would love to hear about your plans for World Parkinson’s Day. Parkinson’s Europe has launched an interactive map, highlighting the many events that are taking place on and around April 11th. To get your event added, let us know about it by emailing: [email protected].
And we would love to hear your Parkinson’s stories, too. Get in touch via social media to share your story, or email [email protected]. As Parkinson’s Life podcast host Amelia puts it: “World Parkinson’s Day is for everyone, not just people with Parkinson’s.”
Meet your hosts:
Amelia Hursey is Strategic Director at Parkinson’s Europe. She has a master’s in cognitive neuropsychology and has been involved in the neurodegenerative research world for 15 years.
Anthony Zahra is a broadcaster and journalist with more than 20 years’ experience in radio, digital and podcasting.
Listen to the full episode on Spotify, or on your podcast provider of choice. If you like what you’ve heard, please rate and review – it helps make sure others can find us.
Explore more of our Parkinson’s Life podcasts, with episodes covering Parkinson’s research, how to deal with “off” periods, sex and intimacy in Parkinson’s, and women and Parkinson’s. Never miss an episode by subscribing to the Parkinson’s Life podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or your streaming service of choice.
Parkinson’s Europe is sharing this article for information purposes only; it does not represent Parkinson’s Europe’s views and is not an endorsement by Parkinson’s Europe of any particular treatments, therapies or products.
