Actor Michael J. Fox Actor Michael J. Fox has Parkinson's Disease and is well known for his advocacy work around the issue.
Image: File pic.
THE Durban beachfront will host the 4th annual Walk for Parkinson’s on Saturday (18 April), as organisers call on the public to join an awareness and fundraising event in support of people living with Parkinson’s disease, their families and carers.
Participants are encouraged to walk in solidarity with those affected by the condition.
Parkinson’s ZA founder Rakesh Haribhai said the organisation represents not only people diagnosed with the condition, but also families, friends, carers and healthcare workers supporting them.
“We are calling on all the movers and shakers to join us for the walk,” he said.
Participants will gather at Snake Park, next to Circus Circus café, with the walk taking place between 9am and 12pm.
The event follows World Parkinson’s Day, marked on 11 April 2026, which Parkinson’s ZA used to highlight ongoing concerns about care and access to treatment for people living with the disease.
In an open letter addressed to the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, and the Council for Medical Schemes, the organisation called for the expansion of Prescribed Minimum Benefits for Parkinson’s patients.
It is urging government to include physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy as mandatory, funded entitlements for all medical scheme members diagnosed with the condition.
Parkinson’s ZA also wants clearer referral pathways to ensure patients are directed to allied health services as part of routine disease management.
The organisation says the gap in access to these services has direct consequences for patients.
It warns that without regular physiotherapy, people with Parkinson’s disease face more frequent falls, which can lead to hospitalisation, fractures and in severe cases death.
It adds that without speech therapy, swallowing difficulties can worsen, increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia, one of the leading causes of death in advanced Parkinson’s cases.
Without occupational therapy, patients lose independence faster, increasing pressure on families and carers.
“These are not outcomes that medication alone can prevent,” the organisation said. “This includes the family, friends, relatives, carers, etc., of those diagnosed,” he said.
The organisation has also launched its “Movers & Shakers” programme, which promotes physical activity among those able to participate, while raising funds and awareness for Parkinson’s initiatives across South Africa.
It says exercise can improve many Parkinson’s symptoms, and the programme is designed to support both awareness and access to multidisciplinary care.
Organisers hope Saturday’s walk will strengthen visibility for Parkinson’s disease and highlight the challenges faced by those living with the condition.
For more information, visit https://www.parkinsonsafrica.com or call Sabitha on 083 258 3604.