Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I rise to speak about an amazing individual in my electorate who is passionate about finding a cure for a disease that affects approximately 100,000 Australians and over 6.3 million individuals worldwide—Parkinson's Disease. Kieran Donlon is pedalling for Parkinson's next month to raise money for research and will ride his bike 4,000 kilometres from Cairns to Warrnambool.

Kieran's wife, Julie, has been living with Parkinson's Disease for 15 years. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure and scientists do not even understand the cause. Kieran says he hopes to raise $20 million, with every cent raised going to the Florey Neuroscience Institutes, not towards administration costs. Kieran says, 'If every individual donates a dollar, it is achievable. I'm doing this for Julie, I'm doing this for people with Parkinson's and I'm doing this for people who have yet to be diagnosed.'

Today I would like to urge people to support Kieran and the fight to find a cure for Parkinson's, and to urge members of this House to assist with local media to raise awareness of Kieran's ride where possible. Kieran will pass through 24 electorates on his ride. People can support Kieran and research into Parkinson's by going into any Bendigo Bank branch or by donating online.