Getting involved in fundraising for Parkinson’s was deeply satisfying
At first I was hesitant, but our efforts were incredibly successful
My family was feeling very helpless and alone after my husband, Arman, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease in 2009. He was only 38 years old then, and we were left floundering for a sense of hope.
Soon after his diagnosis, close friends and family members approached me with the idea of fundraising for Parkinson’s disease. This seemed like a great way to contribute to the fight against this disease in my own small way. We quickly realized that many people in our community also had a connection to the disease, and they joined us on our mission.
I was thrilled with the unwavering support, but also hesitant about the idea. My husband has always been very private, and I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable. The diagnosis was still fresh, and we were still processing it. But my oldest sister was excited to host our first fundraising event at her home, and she’d already figured out what type of event to plan.
Moving mountains
The previous year, my sister had attended a spa day fundraising event, so we planned something similar. We recruited cosmetologists from a local salon and asked them to donate their time to our cause. We chose to donate the proceeds to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and created a Team Fox fundraiser called “Pamper Yourself for Parkinson’s.” Our goal was $5,000, but we ended up raising over $20,000 — in one day!
We hosted several more fundraisers over the next few years and continued with the successful spa theme. At our events, we had auction baskets and various other ways to raise funds. Eventually, our guest count became so large that we moved from private homes to a local tennis club.
Because of our success, we decided to create our own nonprofit called Parkinson’s Pals, where we worked together toward the common goal and mission of raising awareness and funds.
Next, we decided to shake things up by planning several fancy evening events. It was a labor of love for those involved in planning and for the guests who attended.
In five years, Parkinson’s Pals donated over $500,000 to several nonprofits dedicated to Parkinson’s disease. We continue to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation and several local initiatives here in Cleveland, Ohio.
A few years later, Parkinson’s Pals merged with a Cleveland-based nonprofit that offers free community-based wellness to people with Parkinson’s disease. The merger was a great way to end our successful run as a nonprofit.
Being involved with fundraising and event planning was a great distraction for me during the early years of Arman’s diagnosis. Instead of feeling sorry for myself and letting Parkinson’s take over our lives, I was creating critical awareness about the disease, particularly the early-onset type. Additionally, raising funds for research and to put an end to this disease offered me a great sense of satisfaction.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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