The Malta Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA) recently held its annual general meeting at the Catholic Institute in Floriana.

Committee members reported about the work and progress made during 2012, including participation in the European Parkinson’s Disease Unity Walk held in Amsterdam in September and the launch of the official MPDA Facebook and Twitter accounts.

This year looks quite busy too, with projects ahead including the launch of the association’s new website and logo, printing of new books about the disease in Malta and participation in various activities to increase awareness both locally and internationally.

A new committee includes Veronica Clark (president), Maria Casingena Mamo (secretary), Roberta Chetcuti Galea (PRO), Anna Manduca (membership secretary), Robert Cilia (treasurer) and Cathleen Grima (meetings co-ordinator).

Catherine Gonzi, the association’s patron, closed the AGM by thanking the committee for its sterling work last year and for the energy the members are willing to invest for the same cause this year.

She also encouraged members to access resources and opportunities given by the association and also to help increase awareness about the condition and how one can live with Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is a progressive neurological condition which occurs when a large percentage of the substance called dopamine, contained in cells in part of the brain, is lost. It is estimated that there are 1,000 individuals with PD in Malta.

The MPDA was founded in 2008 and is the first and only association in Malta to provide support to people living with PD and their families.

The main aims of the association are to give advice and information about PD to those living with the condition and their carers, to promote and raise awareness of the difficulties faced, and to raise funds for research.