This end of financial year, Parkinson’s Australia is on a mission to help people recognise early warning signs, seek advice and live well with Parkinson's. 

Your EOFY tax-deductible donation before June 30 will help: 

• Fund national campaigns to raise public awareness of these early symptoms. 
• Develop tools for GPs and health professionals to support earlier detection by asking more questions.
• Expand support resources so no one walks the early road alone. 

No matter how big or small, your gift will make a difference. 

• $50 could help print and distribute early symptom checklists to local clinics. 
• $150 could support online outreach to thousands of Australians who know something is not quite right, but don’t yet know what they’re facing. 
• An ongoing monthly donation builds long-term support for awareness, education and advocacy efforts. 

The Earlier You Know, the More You Can Do. These signs of Parkinson's can appear years before a diagnosis:

1. Loss of sense of smell: Difficulty detecting scents like bananas or dill pickles. 
2. Sleep disturbances: Acting out dreams, calling out, or uncontrolled leg movements during sleep. 
3. Gastrointestinal issues: Unexplained constipation or bloating; worsens with higher fibre intake due to slow gastric movements. 
4. Mood fluctuations: Late-onset anxiety and/or depression, unexplained apathy.  
5. Small handwriting: Shrinking or cramped handwriting, often first noticed in your signature. 
6. Speech changes: A softer or monotone voice that others may notice before you do. 
7. Facial masking & slowed blink rate: Reduced facial expressions, which may appear as disinterest or fatigue. Less frequent blinking, sometimes giving a vacant, staring look. 
8. Muscle stiffness: Particularly in the back, hips, or shoulders. 
9. Excessive sweating: When it doesn’t match daily temperatures or strenuous effort. 
10. Physical changes: Intermittent tremor, slowness of movement, decrease in natural arm swing or smaller steps or shuffle when walking.  

Give today! Let’s stop writing off the signs. Together, we can rewrite the future.  

For more information, please visit: Early Warning Signs

This campaign has been supported by CMAX Clinical Trials.