Young Canberran undertakes epic bike ride

ACT Health Minister, Katy Gallagher MLA, today acknowledged the efforts of Canberra’s Sarah McDonald in undertaking an ambitious and gruelling bike ride from Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease.

Ms McDonald will arrive in Canberra this afternoon from Bateman’s Bay on day three of her thirteen day 1400 kilometre journey from the Sydney Opera House to Federation Square in Melbourne.

The young engineering student decided to make the journey to show support for her father who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“Sarah is a young Canberra woman now studying in Sydney and using her university break to make this remarkable journey to raise awareness about a disease which affects about 80,000 Australians,”
Ms Gallagher said.

“In the ACT alone, there are more than 1100 people living with Parkinson’s. Like many chronic diseases, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect the individual but also their family and friends,” she said.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive and incurable disease that can result in substantial disability. It is one of the most common neurological conditions with symptoms including tremors, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, sudden slowness or loss of spontaneous movement and postural instability, impaired balance and coordination.

“It is wonderful to see such dedication and commitment from Sarah and her team of cycling companions whose efforts are all the more impressive given the heat wave we are currently experiencing!” Ms Gallagher said.

“Their efforts in generating community awareness about this serious health issue are to be congratulated and I wish Sarah and her team all the best for the remainder of their journey.”

This is the second year Ms McDonald has undertaken the cycling adventure to help raise funds for Parkinson’s Australia.

11 January 2010