Demoucelle Parkinson Charity

28/10/2026

Exercise – good for body AND mind? A seven-year study of people with mild to moderate Parkinson’s found that those who were more physically active experienced slower declines in both movement and cognitive abilities. Among the most active participants — those reporting more than eight hours of physical activity per week — average cognitive scores remained almost unchanged over the study period.

“Our study found physical activity may have dual benefits, with associations with slower declines in movement and cognition,” said study leader Dong-Woo Ryu, MD, PhD, of the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. He cautioned that the study does not prove that physical activity itself slows Parkinson’s progression, and further research is needed.

A seven-year study found that people with Parkinson’s disease who were more physically active experienced slower declines in memory, thinking, and movement abilities. Those exercising more than eight hours per week showed almost no average cognitive decline, suggesting that staying active may offe...

22/10/2026

Tonight actor Rudy Morren will share his personal experience of living with Parkinson’s at a special Curious Talk at M Leuven.

Together with fellow actor Aline Cornelissen and moderator Barbara Seynaeve, Rudy will talk about how his diagnosis changed his life — and how, thanks to deep brain stimulation, but above all to the human care and support of friends, family and neighbours, he was able to move forward again.

It promises to be a personal and thought-provoking conversation about living with a chronic illness, human connection and what good care really means.

📅 Thursday 22 October 2026 | 19:00–21:00
📍 M Leuven
🎟️ Free, but registration is required — places are limited.

👉 Register here:

Gezonde nieuwsgierigheid wordt beloond. Een inspirerend - en wie weet irriterend - avondprogramma met een verdiepende sessie over vriendschap uit het Leuvense innovatie ecosysteem.

21/10/2026

A huge thank you to Van Vooren, who generously donated the proceeds from sales of his new book, Let it be, at its launch event.

Erik explores the extraordinary story of The Beatles through ten “keys to success” hidden in the letters of the iconic band’s name. From overcoming adversity to surviving Beatlemania and continuing to grow as artists, the legendary group’s journey offers inspiration for navigating today’s turbulent times.

Around 140 guests attended the launch, where readings by Erik were interspersed with magnificent Beatles performances by Marc Erkens on a Steinway grand piano. The evening ended with a standing ovation!

Thank you, Erik, for supporting Parkinson’s research and best wishes for the continued success of your book!

📖 Let it be is now available in bookshops. A great read for Beatles fans — and anyone looking for inspiration.

20/10/2026

Working as both a neurologist and a researcher, Prof. Wim Vandenberghe is using stem cells to grow nerve cells in the laboratory to understand how a mutation in the RAB32 gene causes Parkinson’s disease and thereby identify potential new targets for treatments.

In 2026, thanks to fundraising activities and generous donations, the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity was able to provide seed funding for the research project described in this interview. This is just one of the ways that we are helping to accelerate research to get to a cure faster! Thank YOU to all of your for your support!

Working as both a neurologist and a researcher, Prof. Wim Vandenberghe is using stem cells to grow nerve cells in the laboratory to understand how a mutation in the RAB32 gene causes Parkinson’s disease and thereby identify potential new targets for treatments.

13/10/2026

Dutch presenter Yvon Jaspers explores what we currently know about Parkinson’s, the possible role of environmental factors, and the impact of the disease on patients and those close to them, in a documentary following her brother Willem’s diagnosis at just 40.

Neurologist and Parkinson’s specialist Bas Bloem explains in the documentary that genetic predisposition is not the only factor and scientists are also investigating how prolonged exposure to different environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disease.

Several studies point to possible links between Parkinson’s and factors such as air pollution, pesticides, solvents and other environmental influences. According to Bloem, Parkinson’s probably develops through a combination of different factors that accumulate over decades, rather than having one clearly identifiable primary cause.

Research to find the causes and mechanisms of Parkinson’s is vital in order to find a cure!

Both episodes of The Farmer, the Brother, the Sister and the Disease are available to watch again on NPO Start, the Dutch public broadcaster’s streaming platform.

https://www.rtl.nl/boulevard/artikel/5657459/yvon-jaspers-zou-parkinson-broer-willen-overnemen

https://www.radboudumc.nl/nieuws/2026/parkinson-documentaire-van-yvon-jaspers

Yvon Jaspers (53) vertelt over de impact die de ziekte van Parkinson op haar familie heeft. Haar broer Willem kreeg op zijn veertigste de diagnose, wat ook bij de presentator hard aankwam. In NCRV-gids deelt ze meer over deze ingrijpende periode.

05/10/2026

How does the brain clear waste during the night, and what does sleep have to do with Parkinson’s? Prof. Moran Gilat of KU Leuven is investigating whether disturbed sleep and the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid play a role in Parkinson’s disease.

In 2026, thanks to fundraising activities and generous donations, the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity was able to provide seed funding for the research project described in this interview. This is just one of the ways that we are helping to accelerate research to get to a cure faster! Thank YOU to all of your for your support!

How does the brain clear waste during the night, and what does sleep have to do with Parkinson’s? Prof. Moran Gilat of KU Leuven is investigating whether disturbed sleep and the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid play a role in Parkinson’s disease.

22/09/2026

🌷 Vous l’aurez compris 😊 Pour la 7ᵉ année consécutive, nous vous proposons des sachets de bulbes de tulipes pour soutenir la recherche sur la maladie de Parkinson !

Chaque sachet contient 20 bulbes et est vendu au prix de 20 €. N’hésitez pas à envoyer un e-mail à [email protected]

Cette année, les variétés sélectionnées sont des tulipes doubles tardives :

Gudoshnik Double – fleurs très doubles et généreuses, qui changent de couleur au fil de leur épanouissement : du jaune pâle au rose orangé tendre, puis au rose vif, avant de révéler de magnifiques panachures rouge éclatant.

Design Impression – fleurs généreuses et très élégantes, dans des tons de rose et de blanc.
Comme l’an passé, les bulbes sont certifiés sans pesticide.

Pourquoi des tulipes ?
Parce que la tulipe est devenue le symbole mondial de la maladie de Parkinson.
Et surtout, parce qu’en achetant ces bulbes, vous contribuez directement à faire avancer la recherche pour trouver un remède contre cette maladie, qui est la maladie neurodégénérative dont la prévalence augmente le plus rapidement au monde.

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🌷 U had het vast al begrepen 😊
Voor het 7e jaar op rij bieden we zakjes tulpenbollen aan om het onderzoek naar de ziekte van Parkinson te steunen!

Elk zakje bevat 20 bollen en kost € 20. Aarzel niet om een e-mail te sturen naar [email protected]

Dit jaar hebben we gekozen voor dubbelbloemige late tulpen:

Gudoshnik Double – zeer dubbele, weelderige bloemen die tijdens het bloeien van kleur veranderen: van lichtgeel naar zacht oranjerood, vervolgens naar felroze, om uiteindelijk prachtige, helderrode vlammen te onthullen.

Design Impression – weelderige en zeer elegante bloemen in roze en witte tinten.

Net als vorig jaar zijn de bollen gecertificeerd zonder pesticiden.

Waarom tulpen?
Omdat de tulp is uitgegroeid tot het wereldwijde symbool van de ziekte van Parkinson.
En vooral omdat u door deze bollen te kopen rechtstreeks bijdraagt aan de vooruitgang van het onderzoek om een remedie te vinden voor deze ziekte, de snelst groeiende neurodegeneratieve aandoening ter wereld.

18/09/2026

For 10 years Patrick Demoucelle said 'no' to having Deep Brain Stimulation as a treatment for his Parkinson’s disease. But he changed his mind.

Find out why, as well as how the procedure has impacted him in this seeringly honest personal account.

Patrick Demoucelle decided to have Deep Brain Stimulation after 20 years of living with Parkinson's disease. This is his experience in his own words.

17/09/2026

Changes in walking, mobility and balance can be frustrating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Join this month’s MJFF Parkinson’s Webinar (in English) to hear experts discuss why gait changes occur in Parkinson’s and share treatments and practical strategies that can help people move with greater confidence.

Register online: https://www.michaeljfox.org/webinar/moving-forward-techniques-manage-parkinsons-gait-changes

Les changements au niveau de la marche, de la mobilité et de l’équilibre peuvent être des symptômes frustrants de la maladie de Parkinson. Participez aujourd'hui au webinaire de la MJFF sur la maladie de Parkinson (en anglais) pour écouter des experts expliquer pourquoi des changements de la marche surviennent dans la maladie de Parkinson et découvrir des traitements et des stratégies pratiques qui peuvent aider les personnes atteintes de la maladie à se déplacer avec davantage d’assurance.

Inscrivez-vous en ligne : https://www.michaeljfox.org/webinar/moving-forward-techniques-manage-parkinsons-gait-changes