This weekend we're supporting our brilliant Becky Hurd. Becky is organising a special black tie ball in Birmingham - the illuminate ball - to put the spotlight on Parkinson's disease. Becky was diagnosed with Parkinson's just before her 30th birthday and the ball is in aid of the Cure Parkinson's Trust. She will also tell her story at the ball ...  a tale of determination which led her to postpone medication to have her now two-year-old daughter Mollie (pictured).

One in 500 people in this country suffers from Parkinson's, and only one in 20 is diagnosed under the age of 40. The event will help to raise the profile of the Parkinson's, as well as further funds to aid Becky's determination to find a cure for the disease.

"I want a cure, says Becky. If we start believing in a cure, and talking about it, perceptions will change."


Parkinson's is caused by the loss of nerve cells which produce the neurotransmitter, dopamine. Currently, none of the drugs prescribed for Parkinson's halt or reverse the disease. However, three new approaches are being clinically tested this year in people with Parkinson's. Richard Wyse, Director of Research at the Cure Parkinson's Trust, commenting in a Daily Telegraph article that features Becky's story, says "Long-term, new surgical approaches using growth factors, gene therapy and stem cell research also offer considerable promise."  

We all know how fantastic Saturday night will be Becky ... and as many people have said in response to your interview in the Daily Telegraph, you are one inspirational lady!

For further information on Parkinson's, check out www.cureparkinsons.org.uk.  For more information on the illuminate ball log on to www.illuminateparkinsons.org.uk. To read the full article in the Daily Telegraph in which Becky talks more about living with Parkinson's, follow this link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7572569/Its-not-Parkinsons-disease-its-mine.html