Havas Lynx launches Parkinson’s support website

April 25, 2019

Coincides with World Parkinson’s Day

Manchester, UK-based agency Havas Lynx has joined forces with illustrators to create a new online platform to support people with Parkinson’s disease.

Parkylife.com brings together a combination of stories, hacks, perks and profiles of those who have the disease.

“I was travelling from London on the train one evening and I saw a guy twitching and writhing about. The more he tried to hide it the worse it got. I said, ‘Don’t worry, I know exactly how you feel. I do the same, I have Parkinson’s’,” explained Matt Eagles, Parkinson’s Advocate and Head of Patient Engagement at Havas Lynx Group.

“Strangely his shakes began to subside - it was almost as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.I smiled at him and said, ‘Parkinson’s isn’t the end of the world, you can turn potentially awkward situations to your advantage you know’.”

Employing over 350 people across offices in London and Manchester, Havas Lynx Group took the lead on the project, working with Matt to create a website and to start conversations on social media.

The project also saw the creation of a 52 pack of positivity booster cards, although Eagles added that it isn’t just a “pack of cards with advice on, but it’s a way of living positively with chronic illness, its unique, it’s never been done before and it’s changing the way people with Parkinson’s view their lives”.

Shotopop, one of the 50 illustrators who gave up their time for free, continued: “Parkylife was such a unique brief - to take a light-hearted approach on such a serious topic was inspiring and we didn’t need any excuse to make the world a slightly less serious place.

“We’re sure people living with Parkinson’s will love to see relatable, heart-warming moments from other people's lives.”

Another of the illustrators, Linzie Hunter also expressed her support: “I was honoured to be able to create and contribute artwork to the Parkylife project. I’ve been inspired, warmed and impressed by both the strength and humour of those living with Parkinson’s and by the stories and advice shared within the campaign.”

Parkylife.com, which was launched on World Parkinson’s Day, also features portraits of famous 'Parky' people, such as Vicar of Dibley co-writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, actor Alan Alda and comedian Billy Connolly.

http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/havas_lynx_launches_parkinsons_support_website_1285738