Brain Donations
Whilst major advances have been made in the understanding of Parkinson’s disease in recent years and there are now effective treatment options for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, there is still no cure.
A fundamental goal of Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. is to identify the specific causes of Parkinson’s disease, so that its onset may be prevented. To assist us with reaching this goal, medical researchers need to be able to compare brain tissues in people with neurological movement disorders to those with normal tissue from people with no brain illness. Spouses and family members are therefore also encouraged to consider donation as well.
Donating your brain for this sort of research is not only an invaluable contribution, but can also be a very personal and emotional decision to make. Please take the time to carefully discuss this with your family so that they are fully aware of your final decision.
If you would like more information or would like to participate, please download Brain Donation For Research.pdf or contact the Qld Brain Bank.
Alison Eckert – Coordinator
Queensland Brain Bank
School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences – The University of Queensland
Ph: (07) 3365 4614
Email: a.eckert@uq.edu.au
Volunteer
Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. is always appreciative of volunteer support and welcomes any enquiry or offer of assistance.
Your volunteer role can be individually tailored to your needs and situation. The main objective of a volunteer experience is that you have fun and feel your contribution is valued.
Some of the ways you can volunteer for and support Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. include:
- Assisting with administrative tasks during working hours in our office (word processing, data entry, mail-outs, photocopying, etc.)
- Operating the Infoline and reception (assisting people with Parkinson’s disease by taking their calls, accessing information for them, etc.)
- Participating in special projects and events (e.g. Seniors Week, Parliament House lunch, outdoor events, etc.)
- Developing our organisation with your business skills (e.g. marketing, public relations, accounting, organisational, secretarial)
- Assisting with organising and/or support of fundraising events
- Share your knowledge and experience of Parkinson’s disease with other groups by joining our Speakers’ Club
- Visit aged care facilities to provide friendship /regular contact for people with Parkinson’s disease.
When you volunteer for Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. you have the opportunity to:
- Receive orientation and ongoing support in your volunteering
- Be treated with respect and valued as an important member of the team
- Use your current personal and professional skills and/or acquire new skills
- Meet new people
- Sample as many or as few experiences as you choose
- Learn more about those affected by Parkinson’s disease in Australia.
To enlist as a volunteer with Parkinson’s Queensland Inc, please phone 1800-644-189 or email pqi@parkinsons-qld.org.au
Donate
Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. provides a range of valuable resources to the entire Parkinson’s community. To ensure we can continue our work, significant, ongoing funds are required and donations are greatly appreciated. Membership fees are modest and need to be supplemented, so we rely heavily on the generosity of people from all walks of life.
Donations $2 and over are tax deductible, so a person on a high marginal tax rate effectively pays about half of the face value of the donation. Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. is a Registered Charity (No. 998).
Donations of any size are most welcome and our ability to provide services and to underwrite research have been underpinned by generous donations from members, carers, their friends, charitable foundations and philanthropists generally.
Donate online using PayPal:
You can select any amount to donate on the next page. Paypal also makes available payment from your bank account.
Thank You for your support; a tax deductible receipt will be presented for printing on completion of your donation.
The receipt will also be emailed to the email address you provide.
This is a safe and easy way to support Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. Alternatively, you can contact us directly to make your donation.
You can also use your credit card to make a donation via the telephone, please call 3209 1588 or 1800 644 189 from regional Queensland.
In Memoriam Gifts
If you are arranging a funeral and would like friends and relatives to consider making a donation in lieu of flowers, we can supply you with envelopes to have available at the funeral service. All donations allow us to continue to provide services and support to people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers in Queensland. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Contact us:
Phone: 1800 644 189
Email: pqi@parkinsons-qld.org.au
Postal Address: Parkinson’s Queensland Inc.
PO Box 1684, Springwood, Qld 4127
Bequest
A bequest is a part of your will that directs the executor of your estate to make a gift to a person or an organisation.
Your will is an important document and needs a solicitor or trustee to ensure your wishes are recorded in a legally binding form. For the sake of your family and friends, make sure you have an up-to-date will.
Drawing up a will is a very personal thing. Caring for your family and others close to you is most important. You may wish to also consider one of the ways of leaving a bequest.
Bequests can make a positive difference in many possible ways, all very important to the Parkinson’s community:
- underwriting support services provided by Parkinson’s Qld
- providing training for doctors, nurses and specialists in Parkinson’s disease
- supporting vital research into possible cures, treatment methods.
Why make a bequest to Parkinson’s Qld Inc?
For more than 20 years Parkinson’s Queensland Inc (PQI) has been easing the burden of people living with Parkinsons disease. The Services that PQI provides for people with Parkinson’s disease, their careers, families and friends includes:-
- information
- advocacy
- awareness events and seminars
- InfoLine (1800 number)
- support groups and
- education for health care professionals
Your bequest will allow PQI to continue our vital work and expand our services to improve the quality of life of people living with PD.
If you would like to discuss options for a bequest, please contact 1800 644 189 and ask for Patrick Bulman, our Chief Executive Officer, or email Patrick on ceo@parkinsons-qld.org.au
Join PQI
Whether you have Parkinson’s disease, are a carer, a health professional or an interested member of the public, please consider becoming a financial member and an active participant in our organisation.
Membership of Parkinson’s Queensland entitles you to:
- Our quarterly national magazine and state newsletter
- Vote in elections or stand as a Management Committee member
- Assist our organisation to further the Parkinson’s cause.
There are two classes of membership, which can commence on any date:
- Annual Membership at $30 per annum (incl. GST), due 01 July each year
- Life membership at a one-off cost of $300.
Apart from opening the door to all the support, advice and fellowship associated with being part of Parkinson’s Queensland, your membership helps us with advocacy for Parkinson’s sufferers across the State and nationally. Estimates suggest that up to 72,000 people across Australia suffer from Parkinson’s disease. To persuade political leaders to provide tangible support for Parkinson’s it helps enormously to have a large membership base.
Support Us
Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. can only do its work for the Parkinson’s community thanks to the support of members, volunteers, bequests, donations and moral support.
Our vision of a community free of Parkinson’s disease and our mission of enhancing the quality of life of all people living with Parkinson’s disease are both serious challenges, needing input from everyone from people with Parkinson’s disease, through to governments which need to appreciate the severity of the disease and its associated costs.
We encourage:
people with Parkinson’s (PWP) and their partners/carers to join Parkinson’s Queensland Inc.- anyone who shares our concerns to donate funds
- all supporters to make bequests to Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. in their wills
- volunteers to donate some of their time to helping in our work
- sympathisers to engage decision makers and encourage their support