The Port Macquarie Parkinson's support group is hosting a walk on April 11 to help break down the stigma and raise awareness about the disease.
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April 11 is World Parkinson's Day and aims to shine a light on the misconceptions surrounding the disease.
Port Macquarie Parkinson's Support Group will celebrate by holding a group walk from the Westport Park boat ramp to the CWA rooms at Town Green. The group will then have a cuppa before walking back to the boat ramp.
The walk will begin at 10am and should be over by midday.
The support group is believed to be the largest in Australia and president Gregg Faulkner said he hoped lots of people come to support the day.
"We believe we are one of the biggest Parkinson's support groups in Australia and mainly due to the demographic in the region," Mr Faulkner said.
"Getting out in public to raise awareness on World Parkinson's Day serves two important purposes.
"Many people don't realise how prevalent Parkinson's is in our community, nor how much support is available for people from for-purpose organisations like Parkinson's NSW.
"It is also therapeutic for our members to be out in the fresh air walking, to show how important physical exercise is to maintain our well-being."
The walkers will be accompanied by members of the Hastings District Highland Pipe Band adding another element to the day.
Prominent among the walkers will be Parkinson's NSW CEO, Jo-Anne Reeves and Port Macquarie's recently appointed Parkinson's nurse, Rachael Mackinnon.
More than 80,000 people are currently living with Parkinson's in Australia, with another 37 people being diagnosed each day.
In the greater Port Macquarie area, an estimated 320 people are living with this debilitating disease, making Parkinson's more common than most cancers, including breast, prostate and lung cancer.
Parkinson's is a progressive, degenerative condition of the central nervous system.
Its causes are unknown, and a cure has not been found. People with Parkinson's are dependent on expert Neurological treatment and there are currently three Specialist Parkinson's Nurses working in regional NSW.
During April, the 72 Support Groups of Parkinson's NSW will be out in force to rally support, raise community awareness and to raise funds for ongoing support and further research into finding a cure.
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