Thirty-eight Australians are diagnosed with Parkinson's every day. 

Today is World Parkinson's Day, and the Shake It Up Australia Foundation is using it and the whole month of April to raise awareness and funds for critical research into the fastest growing neurological disease in the world.

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system, causing nerve cells in parts of the brain to weaken, become damaged or die. 

It can cause a number of physical, mental and emotional symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, speech changes, difficulty swallowing or chewing, urinary problems, constipation, dementia and other cognitive problems, fatigue, sleep problems, and more.  

Shake It Up is the Australian partner of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). Since launching in 2011 has raised more than $36 million for research. Any donations made to Shake It Up are matched dollar-for-dollar by MJFF.  

This year, Shake it Up is calling on the public to host their own "P" themed event to raise funds. Ideas like 'Pancakes for Parkinson's', 'Paws for Parkinson's' or 'Picnic for Parkinson's' are being encouraged

Anyone interested in organising a 'P' event can register their fundraiser at shakeitup.org.au. Alternatively, direct donations are also welcome, with 100% of the funds going to research as Shake It Up's founders cover all the expenses of the foundation.