The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research

This coming Sunday (Nov 3rd), I’ll be running the 2024 New York City Marathon.

I’m last minute getting this going, but I wanted to be certain I’d make the start line—my attempt last year ended with an injury and 6 weeks on crutches!

This time I’ve trained smarter, and while I’m under no illusions on how much it’s going to hurt… I’m doing it! And while I’m putting myself through the wringer, I want to raise some money to help fight Parkinson’s Disease.

It’s a cause close to my heart, having watched my Dad battle with it for over a decade now.

Anyone who has met him knows what a selfless, kind, and generous person he is. All qualities he still leads with, even in the face of such an awful condition, which has robbed him of so much.

I’ll be running for my Dad on Sunday, and hope I can make him proud!

Hi, this is the Mason family. We have recently lost our father/grandfather/husband to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It deeply saddens us; he was a cherished father and role model with boundless love and compassion. He worked hard all his life until he couldn't anymore.

We are asking people to donate to this fund instead of flowers or any funeral arrangements so that maybe in the future, another family won't have to lose a loved one to this terrible disease.

We are so grateful for your love and support as we celebrate our wedding. We wanted to let you know that we do not have a traditional wedding registry and do not need any gifts. Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. If you would like to contribute, this is one of two GoFundMe pages we have set up. Your donations will help fund important research for these causes that are very close to our hearts.

Lives Well Lived

Ruth Winder was born in Nazi Germany in 1938. Her childhood was defined by the war. She was in Cologne the day it was leveled to the ground, and her earliest memories were filled with air raid sirens and mad scrambles for bomb shelters. Alan Winder meanwhile grew up an ocean away in abject poverty in the South Bronx, without a father, dreaming of a life filled with something more. And in the wake of that chaos, they improbably found each other. They met at a club in New York City in 1964, married in 1967, and set about building a life together that was filled with joys and sorrows, as lives are.

Alan and Ruth both believed in the power of decency. And they also believed in all four of us, their children, even at our worst. They always believed we had the ability to do better – that if we worked, and studied, we could make something of ourselves. Something that mattered, something that would make the world a little bit less terrible. Our parents sacrificed to give us all a better life, the life they never had as children. They scrimped and saved and mostly challenged us to be good people, to go out into the world and make some kind of difference. Neither of them loved the spotlight, and both of them cared much more for the comfort of the people around them.

Ruth's life was cut short by the truly terrible complications of Parkinson's dementia; she passed away on August 23. Alan followed her exactly three weeks later, on September 13, from medical complications following a heart attack. Their love for each other was unshakable, and true, and in the end they simply couldn’t bear to live apart. At the same time, they would admonish us to carry on, to live our lives, to fill our days with meaning and kindness and to honor their memories by doing our best to do better.

So on that note, let’s do that. Let's raise a bit of money for Parkinson's Disease research, through the Michael J Fox Foundation -- a charity that gets a 93% score and a four-star rating on Charity Navigator, and an A+ on charitywatch.org. Parkinson's is a truly vicious and terrible illness, and we'd be thrilled to see it cured in our lifetime.

Ahead of our wedding, we are raising money to benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to us.

More information about The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research: The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.

We believe without fail that our goal is within reach - but we can't get there without your support. Please join the fight today.

Michelle would love to spread generosity with her friends. For her 7th birthday, instead of bringing a gift for her, you can join her in helping others. She'll raise funds for the first time and give her birthday money to a good cause - The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Hopefully, it'll benefit in a small way the families and friends that you and we know that are being impacted by the disease.

I’m raising money for Parkinson’s research in honor of my grandfather and all of my Team Fox friends.

Team Fox and the Michael J. Fox Foundation are doing incredible work to fund groundbreaking research. If you’re in a position to do so, I’d appreciate your support. Together we can help cure Parkinson’s disease. Thank you!

Jose Olguin was known for his infectious smile and unwavering spirit, Jose was more than just a husband, a father, a grandfather; he was a beacon of hope for everyone who knew him. For over 20 years, he faced the challenges of Parkinson’s disease with a tenacity that inspired all around him.

Jose was diagnosed in his early fifties, a time when most people are looking forward to retirement and enjoying life. Instead, he was thrust into a battle that would test his strength and resilience. At first, the symptoms were subtle—a slight tremor, a change in his handwriting, moments of uncertainty. But as the years progressed, so did the challenges. Yet, through it all, Jose never let the disease define him.

He continued to work, support his family, and engage in his passions. He found joy and laughter, with friends and family, sharing stories and creating memories. Jose had an incredible ability to make everyone feel cherished, even on the toughest days when his own struggles were overwhelming.

As Parkinson’s progressed, Jose faced new limitations, but he never lost his sense of humor or his zest for life. His stories resonated with many, and he often spoke about the importance of community, love, and understanding in the face of adversity.

In his final years, as the battle grew more challenging, Jose maintained his grace and dignity. Even in the face of profound physical limitations, he continued to inspire others. His family stood by him, offering love and support, and together they navigated the complexities of the disease. Jose’s courage shone brightest when he would share his hopes for the future—a future where Parkinson’s would no longer control the lives of those he loved.

Now, as his family mourns the loss of this incredible man, they seek to honor his legacy in a meaningful way. They have chosen to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation, an organization dedicated to accelerating research for Parkinson’s disease. Through this foundation, they hope to contribute to the quest for a cure, ensuring that Jose’s fight was not in vain.

Jose Olguin's legacy will live on, not just in the hearts of his family and friends but also in the lives of countless others who will benefit from the advances in research and treatment made possible through the foundation. His spirit will continue to inspire hope and resilience, reminding us all that even in the darkest battles, love and courage can prevail.

As they come together to remember him, Jose’s family asks others to join them in their mission. They invite everyone to contribute to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, helping to pave the way for a future free from the burdens of Parkinson’s disease. In doing so, they honor Jose’s incredible life and the fight he bravely faced for over two decades. Together, they can make a difference, ensuring that his legacy continues to shine brightly for generations to come.

Hi everyone,

My father was diagnosed, a year before I was born, with Parkinson's Disease. When I was a kid, this meant very little to me, I didn't understand the disease, I didn't know what the future looked like and I just knew my dad to be my dad. But as I grew older, I was educated on the disease itself, what it meant for me, what it meant for my father and our family. I began to understand the impact Parkinson's Disease can have on not only an individual, but a family. The older and more educated I became, the more I understood and the more I could see the disease develop in my dad. I watched him fall due to the coordination issues the disease caused, saved him from choking from the tightening of muscles in the face and jaw, and develop tremors. All of these were attempted to be combatted through medications, medical procedures, and little hacks throughout the house but these methods only could do so much. My father would pass away due to complications with his illness in 2018 a month before his 55th birthday. I wish there was more that could have been done.

One of the best ways to fight for a cure or better treatment for those with Parkinson's is through research. However, research into Parkinson's can be difficult and costly making progress with a developing disease even harder. Challenging research and my personal experience with Parkinson's is why I am looking to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox foundation in order to support the research into the disease and help families and individuals with similar experiences as me and my father. As another way to demonstrate my commitment to Parkinson's research, I will be completing an Ironman 70.3 next year in Rockford in my father's memory and in support of the Michael J. Fox foundation. My training and progress will be tracked on Strava if you would like to follow along my journey under my name.

Want to join me in making a difference? The PBJCA Young Lawyers Boards is going to Boot Camp! On Saturday, June 29, 2024 the YLB will be rising and grinding at Pit Fitness Boca Raton to promote health and wellness AND to raise money for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research. Spots at Pit to work out are still available, and any donation will help make an impact.

Thank you for checking out this page and contributing to this cause that means so much to me, as my late grandfather struggled with Parkinson's. It is my hope that we can help raise money to support those who suffer from Parkinson's and their loved ones. - Shane Chernoff

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is a Four-Star ranked charity dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. We believe without fail that our goal is within reach - but we can't get there without your support. Please join the fight today. For more info check out michaeljfox.org. The Michael J Fox Foundation has a score of 100% on Charity Navigator.

Help me put Michael J. Fox out of business Foundation, by helping them find a cure for Parkinson's