Watch the video above: Concerns raised over future of Parkinson’s research
REGINA – Over the past 21 years, the Regina Parkinson’s Curling Classic has raised almost $1 million for a research program based out of Saskatoon – but the organizing committee is concerned that its hard work might not keep the project afloat.
Dr. Ali Rajput started the Saskatchewan Movement Disorders Research Program in 1968 to study Parkinson’s disease but now the future of his research is uncertain.
“This might be it. Tonight we might be packing it in,” said Debra Dorsch-Poitras, committee chair of the annual curling event.
“This goes directly to what we want it to go to and that’s finding a cure for Parkinson’s.”
Dr. Rajput’s program follows patients over a number years and performs autopsies on their brains after they die.
“The material we collect and the program is considered the best in the world so people are coming to collaborate with us,” said Dr. Rajput.
He retired from the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) in 2002 but has been working unpaid.
His son still works at the U of S and works on the project, but Rajput says he’s been asking the college for a third full-time staff member.
“I think the university has to first of all make up its mind. Do they want this program or not?” said Dr. Rajput.
“I haven’t got a definite yes and I’ve been trying for 17 years.”
The U of S Dean of Medicine Dr. Colum Smith says, as a retired professor, Dr. Rajput has been well supported but wouldn’t confirm whether his program has a future.
“We provide doctor Rajput with a laboratory. We provide rooms for him to store the specimens that patients and their families have donated over the years,” said Dr. Smith.
“The program, Movement Disorders Research, must change direction in accordance with the findings of research. All research changes directions.”
The Regina Parkinson’s Curling Classic has raised $874,000 for Dr. Rajput’s research program but with the future of the program up in the air, organizers hope to break the million dollar mark this weekend.
The silent and live action is being held at the Victoria Club on Friday evening and the annual curling bonspiel is on Saturday.
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